Maoists to continue their struggle for republic: Bhattarai

Kathmandu, May 20: Dr. Baburam Bhattarai, the second in command in the Maoist party, on Sunday reiterated the party's demand for declaring Nepal a republic. The Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) will continue its struggle through the streets, the parliament and the government until the country is declared a republic, Bhattarai said while addressing a programme organised by the former inmates of the Nepal Army.The Maoists would not pull an inch back from their demand for a republic, Bhattarai was quoted by Nepalnews as saying.

The ruling coalition of eight-political parties had earlier decided that the Constituent Assembly in its first sitting would decide the fate of the monarchy.Since the Election Commission has expressed its inability to hold Constituent Assembly polls on the scheduled date of June 20, the parties have been undecided on new date for holding the elections.Bhattarai's statement came amid reports that the Maoists were planning a nationwide agitation in protest against the government's failure to implement the agreement reached on the upkeep of People's Liberation Army (PLA) and management of cantonments.

Maoists can resolve Terai problem in two weeks: Prachanda

Kathmandu, May 20: Nepal Maoist chairman Prachanda has said that his party can resolve the problems in the Terai region bordering India within 15 days, blaming the pro-palace and Hindu extremists for the disruptive activities aimed at derailling the Constituent Assembly polls. "If the government gives us the responsibility based on an understanding, that is not a difficult task," Prachanda said, adding that he had already requested the Prime Minister for such a responsibility. Prachanda said that pro-palace and feudal elements and Hindu extremists were engaged in violent and disruptive activities in Terai to derail Constituent Assembly polls.

The Maoist leader also emphasised the need to deal properly with India in order to resolve Terai problem. "The traditional spineless leadership cannot properly secure the nation and people. Without appropriately dealing with New Delhi, Terai problem cannot be resolved. In changed circumstance, one should also be able to present oneself in tough manner," Prachanda said. The top Maoist leader said he will employ both negotiation and retaliation to tackle the unrest in Terai. "We know Goit, Jwala Singh very well. They were with us for four-five years. We know how to tackle them, which the Congress doesn`t know. By understanding their psychology we can do both negotiate or retaliate," said Prachanda while interacting with mediapersons yesterday.

The leaders of two factions of Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM), Jai Krishna Goit and Jwala Singh were previously associated with the Maoists. Likewise, president of Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) Upendra Yadav, too, was a Maoist leader in the past. The JMM and MJF along with other groups in the Terai plains are agitating for greater political and economic rights for the region.

Source: Nepalnews, May 21, 2007