How do you look at the reactions of the UCPN-Maoist?

Everyone can express his or her reaction. I don’t think that is the real Maoist strategy. Since we have come a long way after signing the 12-point agreement, the peace agreement and the two CA elections, UCPN-Maoist is now a mature political party. Their leaders will not take hasty decisions. Giving reaction is one thing and making a political compromise is another.

As you also met UCPN-Maoist leader Prachanda, how do you view his reaction?

My discussion with the UCPN-Maoist leader was positive. I assured him that their opinions and stands will be incorporated in the process of constitution making. I have told him that there is a need of a political consensus to draft the constitution. 

Since your party is the largest party in the CA, how do you plan to bring in the UCPN-Maoist?

Nepali Congress is likely to take all the necessary political steps to bring the UCPN-Maoist back on track. As we have worked for a long time with them in the past for several years in many issues, we know each other well. I am confident that they will take wise decisions.

The UCPN-Maoist has said the election was unfair and rigged. How do you look at this?

This is not fair on the part of the previous largest party like the UCPN-Maoist to make such comments.  I agree with national and international observers, who also termed these elections were fair.

Since you won the elections, you are making such comments.  How would you react if you were in the UCPN-Maoist position?

Nepali Congress is a democratic party and we always accept the verdict of the people. Our party had badly suffered in the last elections and I lost the elections too. However, I accepted it by heart. As a worker of a Democratic Party, I don’t have any hesitation to accept the verdict of the people. The last time, the people voted me out and this time they elected me. The people are supreme in a democracy.

So, you believe that UCPN-Maoist will join the process?

I have not seen any hostile statement from them. They reacted immaturely on the first day without understating the reality of the situation.

As your party emerges as the largest party, when are you taking the initiative to form the government?

We are waiting for the complete results to come out. We will initiate dialogues with all major political parties before taking any decision. One of the important tasks of the present CA is to draft the new constitution within a year. Formation of the government is also a major priority but we have promised to the people a new constitution in a year.

Given the present structure of the CA, do you think it is possible to write the new constitution?

Since Nepali Congress and CPN-UML have received clear cut mandates to draft the new constitution, we have to write the new constitution within a year. We will accommodate all the voices of the CA and the people in the coming constitution.

As the president of the Nepali Congress what will be your priority?

Out priority will be to draft the new democratic constitution in the country for its development and prosperity. Other priorities are to develop national consensus and work on the basis of consensus politics. There are no alternatives other than a political consensus.