Home Minister and central committee member of NC Krishna Prasad Sitaula
Home Minister and central committee member of NC Krishna Prasad Sitaula (File Photo)
With Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala statement in favour of ceremonial monarchy facing criticism, Home Minister and central committee member of Nepali Congress (NC) Krishna Prasad Sitaula has made it clear that ceremonial monarchy was not the NC’s agenda for the proposed constituent assembly elections.
Speaking at a press conference in Kaski on Wednesday morning, Sitaula said, the King would remain as a ‘ceremonial King’ until the election to a constituent assembly and the election will decide the fate of monarchy.
Sitaula however said the party is yet to prepare its agendas, including the one on the issue of monarchy, for the constituent assembly elections. The party will make public its official agenda for the election of the constituent assembly before announcing the dates for it, Sitaula added.
On the Prime Minister’s remarks about ‘ceremonial king’, Sitaula said, “The PM did not say that ceremonial king is the NC’s agenda as NC is in favour of inclusive democracy and restructuring of the state.”
Sitaula said that discussions are underway among the parties about the formation of an interim government and management of Maoists’ arms.
“An agreement has been reached with the Maoists to send a letter to the United Nations regarding the arms management. The letter will be sent with the agreement of the Maoists,” said Sitaula, who is also the chief of the government’s talks team.
Sitaula also informed that the government will take action against any people as per the recommendation of the high level committee formed to probe the atrocities to suppress the popular movement of the country. This statement comes at a time when the government is facing criticism for not taking action against the chief of the Nepal Army and other top brass of the royal government.
“If the committee recommends any action against the King, the government will follow it and take appropriate action,” Sitaula added.
He further said that the government will feed the Maoists after the Maoist’s arms management. “The government will consider keeping the Maoists in the barracks and feeding them,” Sitaula added.