Army integration doesn't mean NA, PLA merger, says Deuba

BIRATNAGAR, Oct 26 - Senior leader of the Nepali Congress (NC) Sher Bahadur Deuba said on Sunday that the army integration, as mentioned in the Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA), does not mean merger of the CPN-Maoist’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and the Nepal Army (NA), but to take up the ...

Speaking at a press meet organised by the Press Union-Morang today, the former prime minister claimed that the Maoists’ advocacy for the people’s republic is an indication of single-party communist authoritarianism.

"That concept is not multiparty democracy, rather it resembles Cuba’s communist authoritarianism," Deuba. That is why the NC has launched the National Awareness Campaign against it, added he.

Stating activities of the Maoists is hindering the peace process, Deuba accused the Maoists of misusing the budget for the welfare of their party.

He said that the Maoists have biased the budget allocation by earmarking Rs12 billion to the NA, which has almost 1 50,000 personnel, and Rs 9 billion to the Maoist combatants who are less than 20,000.

Responding to the queries put forward by journalists, Deuba said that the longevity of the government depends upon the Maoists themselves adding that the NC will not pull down the government.

Deuba had reached Biratnagar to participate in the NC National Awareness Campaign.