Deuba defends his poll move as party hints at patch-up

On the challenges posed by Maoist rebels, he said the ‘‘terrorists will be defeated after some time, as the international community have backed the government in its war on terror’’. Deuba said he was successful in garnering support for the anti-terror campaign launched by the government during his recent visits to India, the US and the UK.

Nepali Congress general-secretary Shushil Koirala said the Prime Minister’s ‘‘inappropriate’’ move was in favour of those who want to weaken parliamentary democracy. He, however, declared that the party was always ready for the general elections.

‘‘When the government is not in a position to hold the election of the local bodies, whose terms expire in mid-June, how can it hold the parliamentary elections?’’ Koirala said.

Denying any chances of a split in the Nepali Congress after 33 out of 36 ministers in the Cabinet announced they stood firm with Deuba, party spokesperson Arjun Narsingh said ‘‘some individuals may come and some may go from the party but that does not affect it’’. He indicated there is some possibility of reconciliation within the party.