Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation and one of the members of the government’s talks team, Pradeep Gyawali has said that threats by the Maoists to either hasten the peace process or face a mass uprising are hollow and should they call a mass uprising there is very little likelihood of it getting a good response.

Speaking at an interaction in the capital on Sunday, Gyawali said, “It is a hollow threat.”

He ridiculed the claim saying that the rebel call to keep the movement going had failed to make any impression on the masses which had quickly left the streets once the House was restored.

But he added that the government is also to blame for the delay in the peace process since “there are elements in the government favouring the status quo.”

Gyawali also charged that the recent Maoists’ activities were affecting the peace process and urged the rebels to stop the politics of fear and intimidation.

He added that the government was conducting homework for early constituent assembly elections.

Maoist central leader and member of Maoist talks team, Dev Gurung, speaking at an interaction at the Reporters’ Club in Kathmandu, Sunday, Sept 03 06.  Gurung said his party would launch another ‘people’s movement’ if peace talks fail to give solution to political problems. nepalnews/ANA

Maoist central leader and member of Maoist talks team, Dev Gurung, speaking at…
Speaking at the same programme, Maoist negotiator Dev Gurung said the remarks of the minister were irresponsible.

“This shows how irresponsible some people are. Mass uprising will be needed if the government does not do the needful soon,” Gurung said, adding that his party could set a deadline if peaceful ways don’t work.

Gurung also charged that the government is trying to give continuity to the parliament instead of holding the proposed elections of the constituent assembly to give peaceful way out to the problems facing the country.

Gurung added that the government was only hoodwinking the people.