Maoist chairman Prachanda

Maoist chairman Prachanda (File Photo)
Maoist chairman Prachanda has warned that there would be very serious mass movement in the country led by his party if the Constituent Assembly (CA) elections do not take place in Mangsir.

In an exclusive interview with Karan Thapar of CNN-IBN (to be broadcast on Monday), Prachanda said, “I think if we’ll not be able to hold elections in December, it will be disaster in this country. The whole political scenario can change to a very serious anarchy in this country.”

Prachanda reiterated that despite the passage of second amendment of interim constitution, which allows the parliament to abolish monarchy if the latter is found conspiring to derail CA elections, his party pushes for immediate announcement of republic.

“We want that Parliament should take initiative and monarchy should be demolished immediately,” said Prachanda.

He also said Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala will be to blame if elections to the constituent assembly elections are not held on time.

Meanwhile, zeenews.com adds that Prachanda also expressed hopes to be the President of Nepal after the next elections. He hoped that he would be the President of Nepal with executive powers as he expected his party to get majority in the next election. He added that he would not become President for life, but only for a single five-year term.

“Maoist chief Prachanda has favoured special relations with India with the two countries having open borders and close cultural ties,” the report says.

Appreciating India for helping the peace process, the Maoist leader said, “There are ups and downs, twists and turns in our relations with India….(but) there is a sort of unity in interest between the two countries.”

“Delhi played a very positive role in the ongoing peace process…We want special relations with India in the sense that we have open border, close cultural and traditional ties,” said Prachanda.

He, however, said that his party wants equidistant relations with India as well as China.

Prachanda criticised PM Koirala for lacking clear view about monarchy. “He always vacillates between the question of monarchy and Republic.”

“When I had conversation with Koirala five years back, I thought that he was trying to find artful ways to abolish monarchy but now I feel that he was trying to save the monarchy artfully,” he said.

The report adds that when asked about possible “dangers from the military as Army chief Rukmangad Katuwal has close relations with the King,” Prachanda ruled out any possibility of coup, but admitted that some sections of the Army may be active towards that end.