KATHMANDU: Amid Maoists' agitation aimed at dislodging him from power, Premier Madhav Kumar Nepal has challenged them to form government by proving majority in parliament instead of pursuing politics of deceit and rejected their charge that his administration was a "puppet" installed with "foreign" support.
Those "who can show a majority in (601-member) parliament will form the government as per the rule," Nepal said, addressing a meeting of his CPN-UML party's cadres in Pokhara, a famous tourist spot of western Nepal.
The prime minister called on the opposition Maoists to come up in a legitimate way and not in a dishonest manner to dislodge the government.
His remarks came amid Maoists' obstruction of the parliamentary proceedings and street agitation in order to form a national government led by them.
The Maoists' move has not only hindered the Constitution- making process but also prevented the government from passing the budget for the current fiscal year.
The premier also noted that Maoists were already given a chance to run the government.
Maoist chief Prachanda had to quit as prime minister on May 4 after he had differences with President Ram Baran Yadav on the issue of sacking of then army chief Rukmangad Katawal.
The prime minister also rejected the Maoists' allegation that his government was a "puppet" formed with "foreign support".
