PM Koirala stresses on consensus government in Nepal

Kathmandu, Aug 2 (UNI) Nepal Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, who is leading the Nepalese delegation to the 15th SAARC summit in Colombo has said that there is need of consensus alliance to resolve the problems facing the Himalayan nation.

Talking to Nepalese journalists after meeting Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Bangladesh Chief Advisor Fakhruddin Ahmed, Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee, and US Assistant Secretary of state Richard A Boucher, Mr Koirala said, ''I told them that I was trying to work for a new consensual alliance.'' The prime minister, who played crucial role in bringing the Maoists to the mainstream and abolish monarchy through peaceful means, said, ''The government should reflect a national character, and unity.'' ''That is what I told all the people I met today,'' The Himalayan Times quoted Mr Koirala as saying while talking to the Nepalese journalists covering the summit.

''We already have an alliance of three parties, now we should also have an alliance of four by including the Maoists,'' he said.

The Nepali Congress, UML and MJF have already formed an alliance during the election of the president to defeat the Maoists backed candidates as the former rebels tried to isolate the Nepali Congress.

''We should in this way take along all the political parties. If a larger alliance takes shape then all parties will join in, including the Maoists,'' he added.

''They cannot work alone, and such an alliance will also make it easier for them to join it,'' the prime minister said.

Asked about the Maoist claim that people are seeking change, PM Koirala replied, ''People are also seeking peace and prosperity.

Parties can claim what they believe, it is for the people and media to decide.'' Mr Koirala said the transition period was very sensitive, and any wrong step would have a serious impact. ''We will have to work patiently. Consensus is absolutely necessary,'' he said.

His meeting with the US Assistant Secretary also focused on Nepal's politics. Mr Boucher said that although the US did not want to alienate the Maoists, they were still closely watching the party, specially their threats to carry out another movement, PM's advisor Aditya Baral said.

Mr Koirala is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh during the sidelines of the summit tomorrow. He will will also meet president of Congress (I) in New Delhi tomorrow while returning from Colombo.

UNI XC RJ BST1500