Maoists' lust for power creates problem: UML General Secretary

Kathmandu, Jun 2 (UNI) CPN-UML General Secretary Jhalnath Khanal has said the present political uncertainty in Nepal is because of ''lust for power'' shown by the Maoists.

''The first sitting of the Constituent Assembly (CA)had been delayed by several hours after the Maoists kept on insisting, during the seven-party meeting, that they should get all the powerful posts including that of the President and Prime Minister,'' Mr Khanal, the leader of Nepal's major Communist Party was quoted by the local media as saying.

He said since the people had not given mandate to a single party to run the government unilaterally, there must be consensus for forming new government. Maoist Party has got 220 seats (30 per cent votes)out of the total 601 CA seats.

Criticising Maoist chairman Prachanda's statement that his party was not ready to give major posts to the defeated parties, Khanal claimed that the Maoists managed to won those CA seats largely by means of intimidation.

He also accused the Maoist leadership of showing double standard.

''Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda) has two faces - one he puts on before his addressing his party cadres, another when he is talking with us,''he said.

Maoist has been demanding major posts including president, prime minister, and major ministries and are against the amendment of the constitution that requires two third majority to form or bring down the government, the reports said.

Other parties have been saying that they are ready to allow Maoists to form new government once the constitution is amended. PM Girija Prasad Koirala has invited Maoists to form the government.

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