Govt effortful to tackle issues in concert 
Parties not cooperating: Chaulagain

January 25, 2003
4 MIN READ
A
A+
A-

Kathmandu, Jan. 25: Speakers at an interaction programme today said that sincere efforts were a must from all the political parties, government and the underground CPN-Maoist to maintain peace and order and to strengthen democracy in the country.

Minister for Labour and Transport Management, and Population and Environment Kamal Chaulagain said that the government was all set to call an all-party meet so that the problems of peace and elections could be addressed in a united manner.

Minister Chaulagain said, “It is but a matter of pity that the political parties are focussed on things that do not constitute the political agenda in the present situation, and that do not meet the immediate requirements of the people and the country.”

He categorically said that the Nepali Congress’ recent decisions over keeping the Royal Nepalese Army under the parliament and on the role of His Majesty the King were not genuine issues at all for discussion, while the country was marred by violence and terror disrupting the atmosphere for elections.

“The government is having a difficult time in executing its duties assigned by His Majesty mainly because of the non-cooperation of the major political parties,” he said, adding that the political parties, like the government, should prioritise the agenda of peace and security, and holding the elections at the earliest possible time.

Speaking as one of the panelists at Chintan Manan, a talk programme of the Nepal Television this evening, Dhundi Raj Shastri, former minister for industry under the premiership of Girija Prasad Koirala in 1992, said that a broad consensus was needed among the political parties and the government to address the problem.

“With heads facing different directions, we cannot come into a definite conclusion that benefits the country,” said Shastri. He blamed the leaders of the major political parties for bringing the nation to the present state. “Their lust for power became so dominent during the past 12 years that the nation’s priorities were totally undermined and forgotten.”

Leader of the CPN-UML Jhala Nath Khanal said, “The reason behind the present state of the country is also because of the growing conflict among parties, government and the King which is very unfortunate.” There are elements that are active in widening the gap between His Majesty the King, the government and the political parties, and that issue has to be dealt with first,” he maintained.
He said his party was not after power, but was effortful in forging alliance with other parties to solve the national problems. “If the government takes the initiatives to resolve the Maoist problem, the UML will extend support even if it remains outside the government.”

“Conflict had to be resolved through dialogues and it should form the basis for addressing other bigger problems. But it is pity that the government is not making any sincere effort to solve the existing impasse,” he said.

Senior advocate Bal Krishna Neupane blamed the political parties for not being serious about the problems of peace and security.

“The major political parties exercised various kinds of governmental systems in the past 12 years but their role in maintaining peace and security in the nation remained at almost zero. They are now indulging in politics of propaganda which is detrimental to both the country and the people,” he said.
“Engaging in debate whether the present government has executive power or not, is a flimsy issue for discussion on the part of the political parties,” he said. As the government is the signatory to its decisions, it has executive power,” he explained and asked the political parties to forge alliance with the government to settle the problems of peace and order, and of the elections.