KATHMANDU, Dec. 3: Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand has said that the first responsibility of the present government is to maintain peace and security in the country and hold general elections soon and then hand over power to the elected government.

Prime Minister Chand said this while addressing a function held today on the occasion of the 9lst birth anniversary of the late Tanka Prasad Acharya.

At the function, Chand launched a book titled ‘Rastra Ra Rastriyata, Ajako Rastriya Sankat Ra Tyasko Nibaran’ (or, national and nationalism, today’s national crisis and its resolution) published by the Tanka Prasad Acharya Foundation.

The Prime Minister said that those who fought in the democratic movement will have been honoured only if the country can be saved from its present crisis and there is institutional development of Constitutional Monarchy and multiparty democracy, adding that it is only a day dream to seek the attainment of political goals through violence and murder.

Pointing out that the Maoist problem can be resolved only through the medium of talks, he said the present government is ready for that.

It is not in the national interest to destroy the infrastructures of development, impose upon the basic ritghs of the citizens and bring a crisis upon the country, he said and pointed out that it is Nepalese who are being killed.He said the nation’s problem cannot be resolved just because a particular individual or entity wants it, resolution is possible only through the co-operation of the general masses. He also said that the contributions of the late Tanka Prasad Acharya are unforgettable.

CPN-UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal said that the critical problem facing the country today should be resolved democratically and misuse of state power should not be allowed.

He also pointed out the need for democratic forces to move ahead in a united manner and not by covering up but correcting the mistakes committed in the past 12 years.

Nepal extended tributes to the late Tanka Prasad Acharya who, he said, did not agree with undemocratic forces.

Nepali Congress leader Ramchandra Poudel said people pointing out the failures and shortcomings of the past 12 years should be able to provide a better alternative.

Everyone should think of stopping the increasing rate of violence and terror in the country and guarantee peace to the people, he added.

CPN-United leader Bishnu Bahadur Manandhar, sharing his experience of working with the late Acharya described him as a person who loved democracy. Sriramhari Sharma presided.