Prachanda perils agitation if polls are not held in April

Butwal (Nepal), Dec 19: Maoist Chief Pushpa Kamal Prachanda has threatened that the former Maoist fighters will launch an agitation if general elections are not held by mid-April, 2008. In an interview to ANI, Prachanda said that if elections are held in the month of April, it would be for the betterment of all. “There's no other way", he said.

Prachanda urged the Nepalese people to decide their fate by taking a firm stand on issues facing the country. He said that "past happenings, the peace process and the process of change in Nepal are indicating towards general elections. Moreover, the matter of external forces needs to be kept in mind."

Prachanda said: “We are still unable to solve the internal problems of the country. Therefore, the citizens themselves have to decide their fate."

Prachanda warned that if the prospect of holding elections appeared dim by March 2008, former Maoist fighters would launch an agitation, which may lead to change in the existing government.

The polls, intended to help decide the fate of the monarchy and Nepal's future political shape, is now expected to take place by April next year.

Nepal"s multi-party government had earlier opposed the Maoists' demand to immediately abolish the Himalayan nation's monarchy, as it went against an earlier agreement between them to allow a new, elected assembly to decide its fate.

ANI>