Nepali Congress to be in opposition

Kathmandu, Aug 12 (UNI) Nepali Congress has decided to be out of government saying the Maoists have not fulfilled the past agreements, local media said quoting Nepali Congress leaders as saying.

''Nepali Congress will not join the government. As an opposition party, it will play an active role in constitution-making,'' Nepalnews quoted Nepali Congress leader Arjun Narsingh KC as saying.

Meeting of the central working committee of the party to be held tomorrow would formally announce the decision to stay out of power, he said.

''The Maoists' refusal to give the defence portfolio was not the sole reason why NC had preferred the opposition role, but there were other issues such as demilitarisation of the Young Communist League and return of properties seized during the insurgency for which the Maoists have not yet clear commitment,'' he said.

Maoists has decided to make the alliance with the left parties including the UML in the government. It is not clear whether other democratic parties like the MJF, Terai Madhesh Loktantrik Party and Nepal Sadbhavna Party - whose total number of CA members in the CA is around 80- will join or not.

Nepali Congress was demanding defence ministry portfolio to join the Maoists led government, however, Maoists refused to give defence minisry to the Nepali Congress.

With the alliance of the Communist parties and abolition of the monarchy, there is the fear that they would target to democracy, Nepali Congress and the army by the Maoits, Nepali Congress leaders said.

Maoist has their own combatants and once they become in charge of the national army also, then there is danger, he said.

Around 19,000 Maoist combatants are living in various camps across Nepal under the UN monitor. The integration of the fomer rebel army is the contentious issues among the political parties.

UNI XC PD HT1902