Change of army chief won't be acceptable to Nepali Congress

Kathmandu, Jan 4 (ANI): Nepali Congress (NC) Vice President Ram Chandra Poudel has warned of protests if the government sacked Chief of Army Staffs (COAS) Rookmangud Katawal, who was appointed during the reign of NC-led coalition.

Speaking at the Reporter's Club on Saturday, Poudel claimed that Maoist is making every effort to influence the army, judiciary and police forces and that the current fresh recruitments opened by the Nepal Army do not violate the peace accord.

Stating his party is not trying to pull down the Government, Poudel claimed the Maoist-led government would fall apart due to increasing differences among the coalition partners.

He also slammed the Maoists for undermining the role of his party president Girija Prasad Koirala in the peace process.

He also protested the likely change in leadership of the Army Integration Special Committee (AISC), replacing Home Minister Bam Dev Gautam by Prime Minister Prachanda.

"Leadership change in the panel could delay the integration process," Nepalnews quoted him as saying. (ANI)