Monday, May 9 2005 19:27 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

London: Blaming the monarchy for the Maoist insurgency, Former Nepalese Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has said that India should not to resume arms supply to the Himalayan Kingdom at this juncture when political parties have joined ranks to fight for restoration of democracy.

"In today's situation when seven main political parties of Nepal have joined hands to launch a movement for restoration of democracy and protection of people's rights, at a time when we are coming out with an agenda for civil rights, we do not find it proper that arms supply should be resumed at this juncture," 80-year-old Koirala told a BBC Hindi programme yesterday (May 8, 2005) night.

"I want to request that nothing should be done to strengthen the dictatorial system in Nepal and the present situation demands that the arms supply should not be resumed," he said thanking the international community, including India, for its cooperation and moral support to their struggle.

"We expect this support to continue in future", Koirala, who presently heads the Nepali Congress, said.

On King Gyanendra's statement that parties had failed to deal with the Maoist' violence, the veteran leader said "when the Maoists' had an influence only in two places in the country, we repeatedly told His Majesty to use the military against the Maoists, failing which they could spread.

"But the military was reluctant to go and the Majesty was hesitant to move. How can the Royal Palace now blame the political parties for its own inaction."

Admitting that the previous democratic Governments in Nepal committed mistakes due to lack of experience, he said that it was no reason to "murder" democracy.