Bhattarai ready to be Prime Minister

BIRATNAGAR: UCPN-M Vice Chairman Dr Baburam Bhattarai today said the meeting with party cadres in Biratnagar was not aimed at promoting groupism.

Speaking at a press meet in Biratnagar today, he said, “There’s nothing unusual in meeting cadres of an open party like the UCPN-M. It will be too hasty to start counting the number of the cadres at the moment.”

While party Chairman Prachanda and Vice Chairman Kiran Baidhya have accused him of organising meetings with party cadres to clarify his stance in the party, Bhattarai said the meeting was not only to clarify his political document and stance, but also to meet and discuss with party cadres. He said, “There may be difference in opinion among political leaders, but it’s normal for a leader to discuss with cadres.”

He said he was ready to be prime minister if the people wanted him to find a solution to the problems confronting the country, adding, “The Nepali people, not foreigners, will make me PM.” Stating that different opinion polls had reflected people’s support for him, he said, “May be you have also cast your vote for me, though he said lately, the party was not insisting on leading the next government.

Bhattarai also said both Nepali Army and PLA had equivalent status as both were paid by the government and monitored by UNMIN.

He claimed the UCPN-M had already transformed into a civilian party after the people’s war. Bhattarai claimed his party wanted to shorten the transition phase and safeguard achievements of the people’s movement.

“The country has been without government for more than four months and this is not good.” He stressed consensus incorporating issues not covered by the 12-point agreement. He said, “The peace process should conclude after integrating the PLA and drafting the constitution, but we need a consensus government.” He also said that only a new government could bring the budget.

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