>From Kantipur Online:
(similiar story from the BBC at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/south_asia/newsid_1530000/1530230.stm
)
Koirala blames Palace, India for coddling Maoists
KOL Report
KATHMANDU, Sept 7 - Former Prime Minister and Nepali Congress (NC) President Girija Prasad Koirala Thursday dropped a bombshell, accusing the Royal Palace and India of sheltering the Maoist rebels who have been waging a violent insurgency demanding a republican state.
"The Palace and India are directing the Maoists who have been running terrorist activities in the country for the past six years," said Koirala adding that he came to the conclusion after studying the problem for a long time.
Koirala was speaking at a photographic exhibition in the capital, Thursday. The exhibition was on his late brother, B.P. Koirala, founder of the NC and Nepal's first elected Prime Minister, and was organized by Center for Consolidating Democracy. It was held to mark the 88th birth anniversary of the late leader.
Koirala's comments came at a time when other leaders too have expressed similar concerns. Main opposition CPN (UML) leader Madhav Kumar Nepal had put a slight spin of his own to similar charges last week, saying that not just the Royal Palace and India but also the Nepali Congress were behind the Maoist insurgency. When pointed out Nepal's remarks on Friday, Koirala replied: "What Nepal said where, I don't know."
Koirala Thursday also objected to the Maoists extortion racket as well as their open, arms-laced rallies and meetings at public places despite the fact that negotiations with the government were still on. If the Maoists failed to desist from such activities, Koirala said, "In these circumstances, the talks must not be held."
The former Prime Minister also urged the government to put a halt to Maoists ' plans of holding a huge public rally in Kathmandu on September 21