"There is a risk of dictatorship, if the president is kept above parliament", Gajurel, a key leader in the UCPN (Maoist) dissident faction, said during an interaction held in Reporters Club Nepal in the capital. [break]
"Some people relate presidential rule with communism, which is a wrong notion. The United States has the executive president who is above the Senate. Does this mean that there is communist rule in there?" Gajurel argued.
"Executive presidents have always abused powers," he asserted, giving references of the US invasion of Vietnam and Afghanistan when the presidents then did not consult with the Senate.
The Maoist secretary also accused political parties of trying to create constitutional provisions for president as if the post is being ´booked´ for a particular person.
Asked if the person is his party chief Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Gajurel said, "Let us not name anybody now. But it is unfortunate that talks are ongoing with intent of creating the post for a particular individual."
He also said Maoists are against the concept of ethnic state. "Maoists have never advocated for ethnicity-based state restructuring. It should not happen as well," he said, adding that "We only said state should be restructured based on identity to ensure every community´s representation."
He further said they have made a blunder on their part by not addressing concerns of the majority Bahun and Chhetri community in the interim constitution. "We need to immediately rectify this mistake," he added.
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