KATHMANDU: The Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJP-N) has officially withdrawn its support to the government from today.

RJP-N lawmaker Mahendra Yadav informed the House of Representatives (HoR) that his party officially withdrew its support to the government saying the government ‘failed to heed the commitment’ as agreed with the party.
“The RJP-N had supported the government following the latter’s committed to addressing the party’s agenda of addressing the Madhesh issues, peace, stability, and good governance,” Yadav told the parliament.

He said that the government did not address the party’s agenda, including the party’s demands relating to citizenship and other problems.
Yadav also questioned about the government’s perspective towards federalism and constitution.

On the occasion, he said, “Even though the agreement with Free Madhesh Alliance is positive, we are concerned over some points about Nepal’s integrity and independence.”

Lawmaker Yadav also asked the government to come up with clear views on the country’s sovereignty and independence.

He warned that his party would not allow the HoR run its business until the report of the Madhesh uprising probe commission was not made public.

KATHMANDU: Lawmaker Gagan Thapa has sought clarification from the government about the agreement reached with CK Raut.

Thapa said the government needs to clarify its stance, especially on the issue of referendum. “There has been confusions about the term,” Thapa said while speaking at the House of Representatives today.

While it is positive that secessionist CK Raut has entered into mainstream politics, the language used during the deal has created confusions, he added.

“The language in the deal talks about referendum. What is the referendum for? We need an answer,” he demanded.

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister K P Oli has asserted that the signing of the 11-point agreement with secessionist leader C K Raut has brought all political pretensions to an end.

“Be assured, all political pretensions have come to an end now,” PM Oli said at a program in the capital today. “What can be more convivial than this,” PM Oli said referring to Raut’s commitment of joining the mainstream politics by forsaking his separatist movement.

Prime Minister Oli sniffed sarcasm on some people passing “negative comments” on the agreement while he ridiculed them of being suspicious on government’s every move.

Now that, he went on to say, the country is on the path of prosperity and good governance. “Let’s not run behind rumors,” he said adding that there remains no voice of separatists in the country. “Let’s all move ahead in unitedly,” he said.

“Until a couple days back, there was a secessionist group fighting for a separate country. There were voices of secession. Now that the group has expressed its commitment to respect the country’s sovereignty and integrity, and join the mainstream politics,” he said expressing bewilderment over the people’s “suspicious” attitude, “Is it wrong to abandon secessionist movement and make a commitment to the country’s constitution and sovereignty?”

Now that, he went on to say, the country is on the path of prosperity and good governance. “Let’s not run behind rumors,” he said adding that there remains no voice of separatists in the country. “Let’s all move ahead in unitedly,” he said.

Prime Minister Oli also reminisced these old days when all political parties, including the current main opposition Nepali Congress, fought for democracy together. “We currently have an opposition that has always remained together with us during the entire democratic struggle. We have paid a very high price for democracy. We were together in the rallies and prisons. Therefore, let’s walk together for the country’s prosperity,” he urged the opposition.

KATHMANDU: President Bidya Devi Bhandari is leaving for the US on Sunday evening to attend a high-level event in New York. The event ‘Women in Power’ is to be hosted by the President of UN General Assembly (PGA) Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces on March 12.

At the event, the President will deliver her speech on the theme “How Women Leaders Change the World.”
In the evening of March 11, the President will attend a welcome dinner to be hosted by the PGA Garces in honor of the women Heads of State/Government.

On the side-lines of the high level event, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and President of the UN General Assembly Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces will call on the President at the UN Secretariat.

The President will also hold bilateral meetings with the President of Estonia, Kersti Kaljulaid and the President of Croatia, Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic.  On the same day, former Prime Minister of Ireland Mary Robinson will call on the President Bhandari.

On the 13th of March, the President will visit Permanent Mission of Nepal to the UN.  Ambassador of Nepal to the United States of America, Dr. Arjun Kumar Karki and Permanent Representative of Nepal to the UN, Amrit Bahadur Rai will jointly host reception in the honour of the President.

The delegation comprises Tham Maya Thapa, Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizen, Chairperson of the Women and Social Committee of the House of Representatives Niru Devi Pal, expert at the Office of the President, Laxmi Kumari Karki, Foreign Secretary, Shanker Das Bairagi, Secretary at the Office of the President Binod K.C., Secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies Yam Kumari Khatiwada and other senior officials from: the Office of the President, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizen of the Government of Nepal.

The President will return on March 14 and arrive in Kathmandu on March 15 afternoon.

RAUTAHAT: Nepal Communist Party (NCP) is backed by the people of Terai, said Prime Minister, KP Sharma Oli at a program here.

Expressing dissatisfaction over Rastriya Janata Party’s (RJP) announcement of withdrawing support to the government Oli said that it is unwise to think that NCP has no firm stand in Terai. “Some people have illusion that NCP is unpopular in Terai. But the fact is NCP leaders fought and died for the cause of Terai-Madhesh,” said Oli adding, “Some four decades back when I fought against Monarchy, people here had sheltered me and fed me.”

He also announced that since the government has launched big development projects the fate of Terai would be changed in four years.

In the meanwhile, speaking at the program Former Prime Minister and the Chairman of NCP, Puspa Kamal Dahal said that Madhesi people are NCP’s property.

“We are launching special package for the development and prosperity of Madhesh. So no one can defeat us from Madhesh in four yours,” he said. The program was organized by NCP Province number two.

BHIMDUTTANAGAR: People could not feel the sense of change in the country even after the country adopted federalism, according to Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) chairman Kamal Thapa. Addressing a press conference by Media Nepal here today, Thapa asked the government to work towards fulfilling the people’s aspirations. He also charged that various elements are active in plundering the nation in the name of a democratic system.

RUPANDEHI: Agreement between the government and CK Raut delivers the message of peace, according to Boshnu Poudel, general secretary of Nepal Communist Party (NCP). The agreement is a severe blow to those willing for nation’s split, he said. Poudel was speaking at the inaugural function of the third convention of the Sundarnagar Drinking Water Consumers and Sanitation Association here. “No one should dream of splitting the country,” he said.

On the occasion, Minister for Physical Infrastructure Development of Province 5, Baijanath Chaudhary, urged the general secretary to make efforts in releasing adequate budget for the province from the central government, so that the project launched by the central government could be completed.

KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress Central Working Committee member Dr Shekhar Koirala has accused the KP Oli-led government of giving an impression of a totalitarian regime.

Speaking at an interaction organized by Democratic Professors’ Association, Gandaki Province chapter in Pokhara on Saturday, Koirala lambasted Oli over his statement in which he said Rabindra Adhikari was innocent in the wide-body purchase scam.

“Prime Minister is not the judge to declare Rabindra Adhikari innocent in the wide-body procurement case before his cremation.

“Who gave him this right? Koirala questioned aggressively, adding, “Those found guilty in the high profile cases such as wide-body scam, Budhigandaki and Ncell must be brought to justice. Those holding public posts should be accountable and cautious while delivering their views.”

Meanwhile, he called for holding 14th General Convention on time, warning that the party would become weaker if the General Convention were delayed.

Similarly, NC Central Member Gururaj Ghimire charged that the party has been in jeopardy after it violated the party statue.

He suggested that the central committee of the Nepal Students Union should be formed by the members who are below 32 years in age.

CHAINPUR: Lawmaker of Sudhurpaschhim Province, Devaki Malla has gone missing since this afternoon.

The lawmaker representing the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) went out of contact while returning from Bijgada of the district, police said.

Devaki is an elected member of the provincial parliament from Bajhang “Kha”.

Nepal Police spokesperson Uttam Raj Subedi confirmed the report of Malla’s sudden disappearance. However, locals say lawmaker Malla has been abducted by a group of unidentified masked persons.

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister KP Oli today lauded CK Raut, previously a secessionist leader, for joining mainstream politics while labeling him as a “charismatic thinker, and extra-ordinarily talented personality”.

“Let’s forget what happened yesterday, let’s all think about the future now,” PM Oli said after the government signed an 11-point agreement with Raut at the Rastriya Sabhagriha Friday afternoon.

PM Oli appreciated Raut for choosing peace and non-violence. In a witty note, PM Oli said, “I was actually worried that this extra-ordinarily talented CK Raut might deviate from the path of righteousness,” adding, “Now that he has chosen the right way.”

Prime Minister Oli said there can no room for violence anymore now. “History has proved that violence can be overcome through peaceful means,” he said while calling all Nepalis to move ahead on the path of prosperity and national unity.