Prime Minister and Unified CPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal said that he steps down from the government to diffuse the uneasy situation and create environment for rescuing the democracy, nationality and peace process from danger, on Monday. Addressing the nation over the latest political development in the country following the sacking of the army chief, PM Dahal said that the President’s move to nullify the cabinet decision and the reinstatement of the sacked army chief was unconstitutional. He argued that the Interim Constitution does not have any provision that grants power to the president to take independent decision over the army or any other subject without the council of minister's recommendation. Saying the president does not have right to be active as a parallel power centre in any democracy, PM Dahal flayed Dr. Yadav's move to direct the sacked army chief to put stay in the office.
After announcing his resignation, Dahal reiterated that he is committed to the ongoing peace process, democracy and preservation of the nationality, and urged all to keep to the building of democratic and prosperous Nepal and the present struggle for the civilian supremacy. In his televised address that started at 3:10 this afternoon, the PM said that the country is at an unprecedented juncture and is facing serious challenges. He accused that different national and international power centres have been conspiring against the country's prosperity. Stating it is a must to end the "dual state situation" created in the country unconstitutionally, PM said, "To make conducive environment to get through this uneasy situation and safeguard the democarcy, nationality and peace process that are on threat, through this address I announce that I resign from the cabinet I lead." Before announcing his resignation, PM Dahal said that there will be no compromise with anybody over the national sovereignty, independence and geographical integrity of the country. "We are not ready to bow down to any foreign lord," he said, "We want to give a clear message that the times to seek favour from the foreigners for power have ended. And, we would like to request all nationalist forces to be ready to sacrifice for the national pride and independence."
Earlier, he said, "On the one hand we have transformed the country into a federal democratic republic and abolished the centuries-old monarchy after successfully completing the historic Constituent Assembly (CA) elections after the second people's movement followed by a decade long civil war, but on the other hand various national and foreign regressive and status quoist elements that have been hatching serious conspiracies against the infant republic and the rapid socio-economic transformation and development as aspired by the people."
The Maoist Chairman, also known with his wartime nom de guerre Prachanda, said that they were barred from forming the government for four months even after emerging as the single largest party in the CA election under various excuses.
"We may not have been able to execute our duties as desired by you (the people) due to our lack of experience in the government," said outgoing Dahal, who led the 10-year-long armed insurgency that ended after signing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement with the then seven party alliance, adding that his party is not in favour of hiding their weaknesses under any pretext.
Dahal went on accusing that various elements-- from within and outside the government--continued to create obstructions to innumerable good works in favour of the people and country."Budget worth billions of rupees could not be spent as we were prevented from forming the local bodies," said Dahal.
He argued that before firing the army chief the government had provided a fair chance to forge clarification over the charges.
He charged that the power centres prepared a platform for the President to take unconstitutional decision against the people-elected government by floating rumours that the Maoists are trying to grab the state power. Earlier today the cabinet meeting was held at 1 this afternoon to sketch out the address to the nation.The meeting of the Maoist top brass and the ministers today morning concluded that President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav’s move to direct the sacked Chief of the Army Staff, Rookmangud Katawal, to continue his office was unconstitutional, and asked the PM who is also the ruling Unified CPN (Maoist) chairman to address the nation.
The Maoists have dubbed the President’s move as unconstitutional and regressive, and said that the president might have to face impeachment for it.
