Newly appointed Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koriala has called on the Maoists to come to the peace process.

Addressing the 2nd meeting of the reinstated House of Representatives (HoR) on Sunday, Koirala said, “The desire of Nepali people is peace and the democratic atmosphere is all about an environment whereby people could leave fearlessly. The process for this has already begun. Let’s all of us cooperate in this process. “In the meantime the CPN (Maoist) has declared three-month ceasefire. I call upon the Maoists to shun violence and come to the peace dialogue at the earliest.”

He also urged the parliament to take timely decision on his proposal tabled on Friday to hold election to the constituent assembly, informing that the government would soon make public its agendas.

The PM further said his government would work as per the aspirations of the people and the spirit of the recent democratic movement. He also urged the international community to cooperate the government in its rehabilitation and relief activities.

Deputy Speaker Chitra Lekha Yadav chaired today’s meeting.

Koirala who was sworn in by the King at the Narayanhity Royal Palace in the morning assumed his office as the Prime Minister at the Singha Durbar in the afternoon. His swearing in had been delayed due to his frail health.

Meanwhile, speaking at the parliament, CPN (UML) general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal said the government should move ahead in line with the roadmap of the seven-party alliance and the 12-point understanding with the Maoists. Election to constituent assembly and peace talks with the Maoists should be the top priority of the government, he said.

Nepal also demanded that the government set up a commission to investigate into the murder of CPN (UML) parliamentarian Hem Narayan Yadav and form a committee to compensate the families of those killed during the pro-democracy movement and help the injured activists.

Addressing the House, Nepali Congress (Democratic) president Sher Bahadur Deuba said the parties would not repeat the past mistakes. He also demanded that the Article 127 of the constitution should be immediately removed.

Similarly, addressing the parliament session, Janamorcha Nepal vice-chairman and MP Lilamani Pokhrel and chairman of the Nepal Workers and Peasants Party Narayanman Bijukchhe stressed on implementation of Mallik Commission to bring to justice those working against the people.

HoR session was underway until 6:15 p.m. Decision on the Prime Minister’s proposal to go for constituent assembly will be taken after the MPs give their views. nepalnews.com mk Apr 30 06