A day after Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala said that king should also be given space in a democracy, a senior Maoist leader, Dr Baburam Bhattarai, has alleged that the premier’s statement may have been aimed from spoiling the on-going peace negotiations.

President of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industries, Chandi Raj Dhakal welcoming CPN-M leader Dr. Baburam Bhattrai in the second day of its 40th annual general convention in Kathmandu, Monday, Aug 07 06. nepalnews.com/rh

President of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industries,…
“The peace talks have reached into a very critical stage and are on the verge of collapse,” said Bhattarai,

Addressing the 40th annual general meeting of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) in the capital on Monday, Dr. Bhattarai said, “Koirala’s comments of providing space to the king in politics is highly objectionable and against the agreement reached between the ruling Seven Party Alliance and the Maoist.”

He said his party did not believe that Nepali people were in favour of providing any space to the monarchy in Nepal.

Talking to FNCCI delegates at his official residence Sunday evening, Prime Minister Koirala said that King should be given a space in democracy to prevent him from being frustrated, which he said could lead to desperation.

The Maoist leader said his party would launch a peaceful movement if the peace talks failed.

Dr. Bhattarai said, “If the ruling seven party alliance neglects the accord reached between us, we will launch a republican front” which would not only sweep monarchy but all the forces who support monarchy.”

He, however, said his party wouldn’t go for an armed conflict again and would not return to the jungle.

The Maoist ideologue blamed the government for failing to hand over a joint letter to the United Nations mission that concluded its visit to Nepal last week. He also revealed that chairman of the CPN (Maoist) had even signed on a draft agreement (of the letter) but that premier Koirala refused to sign on it. He, however, did not provide details of that document.

The Maoist leader repeated blamed an unseen force for trying to spoil the country’s peace negotiations. He, however, did not name who that force was.

Bhattarai insisted that People’s Liberation Army would not pose any problem in the elections to the constituent assembly. He, however, blamed the Nepali Army of still being loyal to the king and against the government’s decision to hold elections for the constituent assembly.

The top brass of the army have repeatedly said that they fully abide by the directives issued by the government.