KP for Monarchy the Only Surviving NC Founder Refuses to Go Republic
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Kathmandu l 10-16 Spet, 2007 l # 33 l Price Rs. 25 Bhashwor Ojha King Gyanendra stands among a crowd of commoners outside Norvic Hospital at Thapathali on Thursday where Crown Prince Paras is undergoing treatment following an angioplasty performed in the hospital. KP for monarchy The only surviving NC founder refuses to go republic ä nf correspondent independence and democracy, will only sow seeds of disintegration in the people so that it does not sweep besides the enormous economic the country, and it is our responsibility away everything that makes Nepal," In a move that might act as a morale opportunities the country has. Policy of to defeat those designs together. Let he said, adding; political parties, booster for those supporting B P national reconciliation and the spirit it us be guided by our lessons of the especially the Nepali Congress has a Koirala's policy of national reconcilia- represented is valid even today as it past and collective thoughts for crucial role to play as a true represen- tion within the Nepali Congress, was before. I have no doubt that this future, and not by anything else tative of the people. “As a founder party's only surviving founder will remain valid for quite some time to including republicanism." member of the party, I am proud to member K B Bhattarai said that alone come. Let us not destroy our history He said the country is passing state that our party has always stood will safeguard Nepal's nationalism, and legacy which generations together through an unprecedented crisis. "Any in favour of nationalism, independence independence and democracy. have built," said he. In a brief chat with such crisis will demand collective and democracy against all odds right Issuing a statement on the eve of B newsfront, Bhattarai hoped that the wisdom and dedication on the part of from the day it was founded." ä P Koirala's 90th birth anniversay, leaders of the Nepali congress, mainly Bhattarai said that a prolonged the central committee members would differences between the king and the take a wise decision in the context of democratic forces will only weaken our nationalism. A senior central the country and its opportunities to committee member of the party said prosper, clearly asserting that a "we have more than 25 out of the 35 republican Nepal members who feel was much against exactly the way everything that the "Let us not de- Kishunji has Congress party stroy our history expressed himself" stood all along. Bhattarai also That also means and legacy which had a piece of he remains generations to- advice to the king. opposed to the "Now it is high dictate G P Koirala gether have built." time to remember gave to the again that the Congress party manifesto committee monarchy truly acted as a unifying that the party should go republic. symbol of diverse religions, culture, "Late BP Koirala and Ganeshman ethnic and political groupings within a Singh came back to Nepal from India truly democratic set-up." He said in 1976 ending their eight-year long Nepal's transition needs a safe exile with the call for national reconcili- landing which is possible only through ation. They were clear in their minds unity and reconciliation. that a prolonged difference between In a Gandhian spirit, he said, the king and democratic forces will only "politics of hatred and denial dictated weaken the Nepali nationalism, by undemocratic desire of revenge 2 10-16 Sept., 2007 News Army's warning Election vs. no election Whom to trust: PM or Prachanda Maoists may sabotage elections, but we will protect democracy on the fate of the election? ä nf correspondent ä nf correspondent republic, and asked his party cadres to go for an agitation to As count-down for the polls stall such a drama. His call for The Nepal Army fears that that the begin and the election commission agitation also comes as a Maoists are active to sabotage gears up for the final prepara- challenge to the home minister elections to the constituent assembly tions, there are still doubts if at all who has been instructing security scheduled in November. This was the the election to the constituent officials to act sternly against any dominant view, based on 'information- assembly will take place on person or groups if found based' assessment of the existing November 22. indulging in activities that will situation at a top-level meeting of the The conflicting stance between disturb the atmosphere for army officers in the capital recently. PM Koirala and Maoist chief election. The meeting attended by about 17 Prachanda over the fate of the "We are very upset with these senior generals, commandants of the election has triggered the developments. We have been regions and those based in the uncertainty given a series of asking the political party leaders headquarters, was near unanimous instances in the past where to promote an atmosphere for that the activities of the Young almost invariably, the PM healthy polls," one of the election Communist League (YCL), directly conceded to the wishes of the commissioners told newsfront. under control and guidance of party the serial explosions in the capital in United Nations special office, UNMIN, Maoists. "That only means The EC on its part is busy chief Prachanda, were clearly aimed which three people, including two however, makes it mandatory for election will take place on dispatching election materials at creating a situation in which holding school girls were killed, and more army to be kept in the barracks until schedule if Koirala agrees to beginning with ballot-boxes to polls on November 22 would not be than two dozens wounded. the peace process is completed. declare Nepal a republic in the approximately 9,000 polling possible. The meeting was also unanimous "We have been honouring this. But next few weeks, or before the booths. It has finalised the list of There was anger expressed over that it would be happy to play any role the Maoists have already violated this process of nomination begins," a returning officers and is engaged home minister K P Sitaula's activities assigned for successful and impartial undertaking as a sizeable number of member of the Congress central in regular consultations with the that encouraged the YCL and conduct of elections, should the their combatants are out in action in committee said, adding, "I am not government on security arrange- Maoists to do whatever they liked and government so desire. Army's offer to the guise of YCL," a general told sure if Koirala and Maoists have ments to be made. "But the at the same time, “demoralised the play a role in the election comes in newsfront. But the army also made it struck such a deal already." commission has not been able to army and cast it in a poor light.” The the wake of more and more leaders, a point to deliver a message to the Prachanda made his remarks issue the model code of conduct participating officials also expressed including Purna Bahadur Khadka of prime minister (who is also the more strident in Nepalgunj on because the government has not grave concerns over the existing law Nepali Congress-D, Pradeep Nepal defense minister), that said, “you will Saturday when he insisted that been able to make necessary key and order situation, quite inadequate and Mahendra Pandey (both UML), consider using the status and the election in November would appointments within the time for conduct of the polls. demanding that they should be strength of the Nepal army to protect only be an exercise in futility if held frame that the commission has The army's latest assessment deployed for election purpose as in country's sovereignty and indepen- without declaring Nepal a given," the commissioner said. follows the bombing incident last the past. The agreement between dence besides consolidating week. It suspects Maoists’ hands in the government, Maoists and the democratic system in the country.” News 10-16 Sept., 2007 3 Newsbrief Country without CJ Bizarre politics Parliamentary committee takes time to decide on new Chief Justice Anandi Devi, Chief of Nepal Sadhbhavana Party (NSP) and ä nf correspondent widow of its founder leader, late Gajendra Narayan Singh, has Nepal goes without chief become not only an object of justice as the parliamentary amusement in the coalition politics committee in charge of but there are also indications that confirming CJ designate she might soon be suspended Kedar Prasad Giri felt the from the post. The party is likely to need to grill him over some adopt a resolution expressing lack of the ‘controversial of confidence in her leadership. judgments’ he made. The latest round of develop- The 28-member special ment was triggered by her committee of parliament recommendations to PM Koirala, discussed and debated the the second in less than a month's findings of a nine-member time, to remove Rajendra Mahato sub-committee which from the cabinet. Industries and commerce minister, Mahato represents looked into some of the her party in the cabinet. But Koirala refused to act on her recommenda- major complaints against Giri’s elevation. The committee on Sunday Avoid Par hear- tion following information that the “simple village woman” was being decided to invite Giri on Tuesday for his explanations on at least three used by certain leaders or factions of the party. major rulings that he delivered as a judge in the past. ing : Dhawan Mahato and Hridayesh Tripathi are pitted against each other in the They include endorsement of the government action in curtailing rights NSP politics, and there are indications that the party may soon split with of the FM radios to broadcast news and current affairs programme An eminent constitutional expert from the two factions parting their ways.