Behave or remain out of govt: Koirala to Prachanda

Koirala’s anger and public comment against the Maoists were triggered by Prachanda’s recent accusation that pro-palace elements were conspiring to kill some American embassay officials in Kathmandu and pin the blame on the Maoists.

Prachanda was challenged by US Ambassador James Moriarty to share the information with the authorities to safeguard the “safety of Americans citizens and officials”.

Prachanda’s unsubstantiated claim came close on the heels of his assertion that while Maoists had in principle decided to stop “extortion” they would continue it until their entry into the interim cabinet.

“You must behave and prove your code conduct”, Koirala told media persons in clear and categoric disapproval of what Prachanda said about the palace, America and extortion.

Koirala’s admonition came shortly after the visiting US Under Secretary for Management Herietta H Fore said the US would not want armed Maoists to join the interim government.

Prachanda has not yet fulfilled his commitment to return private property of citizens seized by Maoists during the years of conflict as a pre-condition to his party’s joining the interim cabinet.