Koirala says will retire from politics after polls

Kathmandu, Mar 11 (UNI) Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala announced today that he will retire from politics after the conduct of Constituent Assembly election on April 10.

''I will hand over the NC leadership to the politicians of the new generation,'' Kantipur quoted Mr Koirala as saying in his home town Biratnagar here.

Mr Koirala has been the longest serving Prime Minister in the history of Nepal since the restoration of democracy in 1990.

He also played leading role to end the dictatorial rule of King Gyanendra and bring Maoists to the peace process.

Mr Koirala is also the president of the Nepali Congress, the oldest democratic party of the Himalayan nation.

''No force can disrupt the April polls,'' he said when asked about possible attempts by royalists to foil the polls.

''An agreement had been reached with the Indian government to strengthen security in the border region to curb the ongoing instances of violence, kidnapping and murders in the Terai region,'' he said.

Mr Koirala said he would discuss the excesses carried out by the Young Communist League with CPN-Maoist Chairman Prachanda at the earliest after arriving in the capital.

He further warned of possible action against the YCL, if the excesses continue.

He informed that there will be no talks with the armed agitating groups in Terai because of the impending elections.

UNI XC GL BD2313