Just when the criticism against the statement issued by Nepali Army (NA) on Maoist supremo Prachanda was intensifying, Deputy Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has come out and defended the army's statement.

During last week's summit talks Prachanda alleged that apart from murdering innocents and raping Nepali women, Nepal Army has done very little. After a week and no response from government, NA issued a statement saying, 'Nepal's history is testimony to the fact that the NA has always remained committed to defend Nepal's sovereignty, territorial integrity and dignity of the people under the direct command of the prevailing constitutional government.'

A day after the statement from NA, Prachanda and Nepali Congress leader Mahanta Thakur also issued statements saying that if there were criticisms against Prachanda's statement, it was the government's responsibility to respond, not NA's.

"Nepali Army has raised a valid point," Oli said defending NA while talking to the reporters. In an interview with Kantipur daily he said Prachanda's statement during summit talks last week was biased and irresponsible. "When the government and Ministry of Defence decided not to respond, NA had to step in and defend themselves."

Leaders of seven party alliance and Home Minister Krishna Sitaula agree with Prachanda and Thakur and have said that NA is a government body and has no authority to make any independent comment.