Dr Bhattarai was speaking at a function organized by the Maoist-aligned Madhes state committee in Butwal. [break]
"We have been pushing for a national government as the current government cannot take the peace process to its logical conclusion by completing the constitution drafting and integration process," he said. The Maoist vice chair argued that the possibility of forming a national unity government is increasing by the day.
He argued that the constitution drafting and the integration process could not be completed by isolating the party that sacrificed thousands of lives for the formation of a constitution assembly and turning the country into a republic.
"The current government should be changed as soon as possible to end the political deadlock and draft the constitution in time," he said.
He also alleged that the government is hatching serious conspiracy to disrupt the constitution drafting and peace process and said his party has not lost patience. He also called on the educated mass to decide whether the country should make a stride forward through changes or leave it stuck in the current conflict.
Mgmt of combatants first: Deuba
Meanwhile, Nepali Congress (NC) leader Sher Bahadur Deuba alleged that the Maoists were unwilling to facilitate army integration as they want to use their combatants in fresh election.
“The Maoists are in favor of integrating army after winning fresh election through vote rigging,” alleged Deuba. He said that since other parties have already understood their strategies, the constitution will be promulgated only after the management of the combatants.
Addressing a press conference in Butwal, Deuba said the Maoist combatants who meet the established the criterion can be integrated into the national army and other security agencies.
Meanwhile, inaugurating a function organized by Nepal Magar Sang in Palpa, Deuba laid down two conditions for the Maoists to help promulgate new constitution in the stipulated time.
Deuba asked the Maoists to shun violence for once and for all and dissolve paramilitary structure of the Young Communist League.
Integration before statute: PM
BIRGUNJ: Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal on Sunday said the Maoists will be responsible if the constitution is not written on time. He said the Maoists´ double standard is the biggest obstruction to constitution writing. He accused Maoist chairman of changing his words often.
The PM, who inaugurated a nursing institute building at Gaur, also claimed that integration of Maoist combatants will be completed before the constitution is promulgated.
Former PM Bhattarai bereaved of father