Prachanda not keen to back Koirala as president; ready for statute amendment

Maoist chairman Prachanda has said that his party is not keen to support prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala as the president.

“The NC has openly proposed Koirala’s name for the president. But he will have to drop the ordinary membership of the Congress and, besides, we do not want him to be in any position where he will have to bear lots of tensions,” Prachanda told reporters on Saturday.

“Given his age and health and his contribution to the peace process, it will be more appropriate to put him in senior position (for political guidance),” he said without elaborating.

Meanwhile, talking to reporters after holding a high level meeting with senior leaders of NC on Saturday evening, Prachanda said that his party is willing for amendment of constitution including on provisions for formation of government.

“We are not totally against the proposal of having simple majority to form or dislodge a government. The only thing is we want to ensure that this does not lead to cycle of instability with parties pulling down governments one after another,” he said.

He, however, added that amendment is necessary to incorporate new parties represented in the Constituent Assembly