BIRATNAGAR, Jan 4: As mentioned by His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev to make concerted efforts to tackle the country’s burning issues in the address at the civic reception on Friday, Deputy Prime Minister Badri Prasad Mandal has urged all to realise the aspirations of His Majesty by reuniting efforts for the country’s development.

Deputy Prime Minister Mandal, speaking at a programme, pointed out the need for common ground where everybody can work for peace and development of the country. He also urged all to shun violence and work for peace and economic development. “The government, through the human rights activists, has repeatedly tried to initiate dialogue with the Maoists,” Mandal said.

If they (Maoists) continue to undermine the requests of the government, the government cannot halt its actions, he asserted. He also said that the government is soon going to announce the date for the general and local elections, but the dates are yet to be decided.

The present government wants to hand over the power to the elected government as soon as possible, he added. However, he said, nobody should be allowed to ruin the country at the cost of power and personal interests.

Deputy Premier Mandal also informed that the human rights activists have made progress in creating an atmosphere for dialogue. But he declined to talk about the ‘price’ put on the heads of Maoist leaders. “I have no idea about it,” he said.

He claimed that democracy had been further consolidated with the leadership of His Majesty the King. The massive turnout at the civic reception is an example of what people think about the monarchy, he said.

In fact, politics should not be for politics, it should be for the people and country. False assurances to the people in the name of democracy do not help strengthen democracy, he added.

The programme was organised by the Reporters’ Club.