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Deuba says Nepal polls by April 2005
Nepal's new Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba said that elections would be held in the Himalayan kingdom by April 2005.
Nepal's new Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba Saturday said elections would be held in the Himalayan kingdom by April 2005.
The 58-year-old Deuba, who was sacked by King Gyanendra two years ago for failing to hold elections due to an escalation in Maoist insurgency, said at his first official press conference in his private residence that polls could be held in phases.
He said he would welcome Indian help in holding elections and resolving the Maoist insurgency.
"We would welcome help from any country," he said regarding external help for resolving the insurgency that has claimed over 8,000 lives.
Deuba expressed his happiness over Indian External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh making Nepal his first port of call after assuming office. Singh came to Nepal on a two-day visit Friday.
India, he said, had promised support to Nepal's campaign for peace and development.
The third-time prime minister, who was reinstated this month by the king, defended himself against the charge of "incompetence", saying he had recommended deferring elections the last time after the approval of parliamentary parties.
"I will not make that mistake again," he added. The president of the Nepali Congress (Democratic) party said he was consulting the opposition parties for the formation of a representational government.
"I would like to forge unity with them and find a common position on the Maoists," he added.
He also said he was trying to persuade his former mentor Girija Prasad Koirala to merge the latter's Nepali Congress party with his own. The two had fallen out in 2002 when Deuba extended emergency despite Koirala's disapproval.
Deuba was expelled from the Nepali Congress party and retaliated by splitting it and forming his Nepali Congress (Democratic) party. Once the council of ministers was announced, the government would start peace proceedings.
"I have always been a pro-dialogue person," Deuba said. "I have always been accused of being over-flexible. I will be very flexible to solve the Maoist problem. However, they too should be sincere about settling the problem through peaceful negotiations."
The prime minister said he would ask the rebels to participate in the elections with their manifesto and take their chances.
However, he declined to comment on whether the government would immediately offer a truce to the rebels, who have condemned his reappointment.
