Sitaula’s resignation won’t resolve nation’s problems: PM
Finally, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has publicly defended his Home Minister. This comes a day after the Parliament decided with two thirds majority to amend the constitutions as per the demands of Madhesi people. Madheis Janadhikar Forum, a group that claims to fight for the interests of Madheis has been demanding the resignation of Krishna Prasad Sitaula. The group is currently holding its meeting in the wake up yesterday’s parliamentary decision. Here is what Koirala said in Biratnagar today:
BIRATNAGAR- Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala on Saturday said that Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula’s resignation would not resolve the nation’s problems, adding that he himself would tender his resignation if it helped solve the issues. The PM, who had made a surprise visit to his home town Biratnagar Saturday morning, told reporters, “If it can resolve the problems, I will ask for the Home Minister’s resignation this instant … but the Home Minister’s resignation is not the answer.” Informing that he himself was holding talks with the agitating sides in the Terai, PM Koirala expressed hope for a peaceful resolution to all the grievances through talks. Koirala urges Maoists to ‘behave’ before joining government. (more)
Prime Minister Koirala also said the Maoists would be brought into an interim government only when they correct their behavior. Koirala said the Maoists must start behaving according to the agreements signed with the SPA government and return the properties seized by them during the insurgency. He, however, did not give any tentative timeframe for the formation of a Maoist-included cabinet. Koirala’s statement came three days after an ‘understanding’ between the Nepali Congress (NC) and the Maoists to form interim government before March 15. (more)
Other Headlines:
Royalist plot to kill US officials will be clarified soon: Prachanda
POKHARA- Maoist Chairman Prachanda Saturday morning said that the evidence about the “plot to kill US officials by the royal palace” was being collected and that it would be revealed soon.The former rebel chief also said instead of being grateful to him for warning them to remain cautious, the US officials were raising an outcry over his statement to disrupt the ongoing peace process. (more)
>>Before this, the US Embassy in Kathmandu showed it’s concern over Prachanda’s remarks in Pokhara the other day.
>>> Maoists don’t deserve membership in govt if they continue violence: US12-hour curfew clamped in Nepalgunj; MPRF strike on fifth day
NEPALGUNJ- Following yesterday’s clash between locals and Madhesi People’s Rights Forum (MPRF) cadres in Nepalgunj, the Banke District Administration Office today extended its curfew orders from 7 am to 7 pm. The local administration had imposed a 13-hour curfew yesterday following the killing of Tula Ram Tripathi, a local from Khajura in the district. At least a dozen people were seriously injured in the clash. (more)