Parties, including those in the coalition government, have stressed the need to reconstitute the army integration special committee before it begins its work.

Speaking at an interaction programme Monday, Maoist leader C. P. Gajurel said the committee has to be reconstituted involving Nepali Congress to ensure that works of army integration and rehabilitation go smoothly.

Rejecting the demand for equal number of members from all political parties, Gajurel insisted his party must have two members in the committee, one each representing the government and the party since the integration is linked with party’s armed force.

CPN (UML) leader Pradip Gyawali urged parties not to make the special committee as a contentious issue, the committee has to be reconstituted to include NC. Without involvement of NC, the process of army integration will not be completed, he said.

Nepali Congress vice president Gopal Man Shrestha reiterated his party’s stand not to join the committee unless it is reconstituted. He also stressed the need to include other parties such as Terai Madhes Loktaktrik Party in the committee. He said decision by four big parties cannot be regarded as a decision of national consensus.

Leader of TMLP Hridesh Tripathi argued that the ruling parties established the committee without consulting other parties represented in the parliament and warned to disrupt the parliamentary proceedings if the committee is not reconstituted. nepalnews.com ia Nov 03 08