PM Koirala, Prachanda Discuss CA Polls

Source: http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullstory.asp?filename=6a9a9a5qa.9amal&folder=aHaoamW&Name=Home&dtSiteDate=20070408

THT Online
Kathmandu, April 8

Maoist chairman Prachanda today met Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala at the latter’s residence at Baluwatar and discussed about holding elections to constituent assembly within the pre-scheduled deadline.

In his first meeting with the PM after the formation of interim government on April 1, Prachanda informed the PM about the concerns raised by UNMIN chief Ian Martin about the CA polls.

In his recent visit with Prachanda, Martin reportedly expressed dissatisfaction over the ‘autocratic attitude’ of the eight-party alliance and deferral of the CA poll date to June 20. Martin was of the view that the eight-party decision to defer the poll date was an example of autocratic attitude of the alliance as the interim constitution has clearly mentioned that the polls would be held within mid-June.
Martin also reportedly warned that preparations for CA polls were slow and holding of free and fair polls by June 20 would be impossible. Prachanda also informed the PM that Martin had warned him that the UN and the international community would not recognize the polls if they were held in haste without ensuring full security and meeting international standards.

On his part, PM Koirala assured Prachanda that the polls would be held on time at any cost. He said the government officials would be made to work overtime by providing extra facilities so as to make the CA polls possible by June 20. A source close to Baluwatar said the PM asked Prachanda and UML leader Madhav Nepal to remain committed to hold the polls on time and he would make days and nights one for timely polls.

He also asked Prachanda and Nepal not to speak anything about the King until the CA polls as making unnecessary statements against the King may provoke him to involve in conspiracy against CA polls.

The source also said the PM wanted to consult Prachanda and Nepal on reviewing the salary and facilities of the security forces.
The meeting lasted for about an hour from 7:30-8:30am.