JOIN US'Will not tolerate interference'
Maoist supremo Prachanda on Wednesday said his party will not tolerate “any kind of interference” into internal affairs of Nepal from “any part of the world” as he accused India of “breaking the politics of consensus” in the country.
Addressing his first press conference after resigning as premier, he also dubbed a videotape — purportedly showing him as taking pride over making a false claim about the strength of Maoist combatants — a “conspiracy” against the peace process.
Claiming that the Maoists will return to power, he said “After some time... an atmosphere of trust will be created and we will be in a position to lead the new government.”
In denial Prachanda denied that he made any remarks against India while announcing his resignation. “I have not blamed either India, China or USA in my speech by calling (their) names... I only opposed to foreign intervention.” However, he said that “people here feel India’s role was not positive” in the army chief issue.
India “denied support” to his government to uphold “civilian supremacy” and its “lack of support” for institutionalising democratic norms has created suspicion, he said and blamed New Delhi for “breaking politics of consensus” after the constituent assembly elections.
“We will never tolerate any kind of interference into the internal affairs of Nepal from any part of the world,” Prachanda said.
While announcing his resignation in a televised address to the nation on Monday, Prachanda had said: “I will quit the government rather than remain in power by bowing down to foreign elements and reactionary forces.”
Cordial ties
His party is ready to maintain “cordial relations” with neighbouring countries but will “not accept any intervention,” he had said in remarks seen as a veiled attack on India.
On the issue of the videotape, the Maoist leader said it is a part of a “conspiracy hatched by reactionary forces” to “defame” his party and “obstruct” the peace process.
In the one-and-a-half year-old video tape first broadcast by Image Channel, Prachanda was seen telling his cadres in a closed-door meeting that his party’s actual military strength was 7,000 and not 35,000 as claimed.
Lies & videotape
* Tape shows Prachanda making false claims about the strength of Maoist
combatants.
* He is seen telling his cadres in a closed-door meeting that his party’s actual
military strength was 7,000 and not 35,000 as claimed.
* Prachanda now defends himself saying it is a part of a conspiracy hatched by reactionary forces to defame his party and obstruct the peace process.