Kathmandu, Jan. 4 : Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has expressed his wish to see all friends in the party tied together in a deep bond of unity in order to resolve the existing challenges facing the country and parliamentary democracy, and has urged friends registering the no-trust motion to withdraw it so as to give a boost to this spirit.
Speaking during discussions on the no-trust motion at the NC parliamentary party office today, Prime Minister Koirala said he takes the no-trust motion as a democratic exercise regardless of what the result would be and gave assurances to continue his effort to resolve the present problems with the support of all friends in the party.
Stating that the fight against poverty and unemployment, accelerating development work and an effective national campaign against corruption are matters of concern and interest common to us all, Mr Koirala said, “We cannot achieve progress to this end without healthy exercise of honest attitudes, discipline and unity”.
The country at present is seeking unity in the Nepali Congress party and an integrated effort and understanding among all political parties believing in parlimentary democracy, and the country and history will not forgive any effort made to divide the Nepali Congress, he added.
Stating that at a time when efforts are being made to disturb our centuries-old and profound social unity and communal good-will, when efforts are being made to hurt our national self respect and unity it would not be right to indulge in passions that will divide our strength and unity, Mr Koirala said cooperation of all MPs and friends is essential in his endeavours integrate the entire strength of the party in order to make the goverment more effective.
Today we are carrying out a difficult but democratic exercise in an unhelpful situation, we have to have great patience in order to discuss a no-confidence proposal registered against the leader of the parliamentary party and to reach a conclusion, Mr Koirala said and urged all friends to stay aloof from useless excitement and reach a proper conclusion through healthy discussion.
Referring to accusations made in the no-trust motion that the state of law and order has deteriorated, the leasing of the Lauda Air Aircraft by RNAC was irregular, and that elections for party units in the lead up to the 10th NC general convention were not free and fair, Mr Koirala said these accusations were far from reality, and were misleading and prejudiced.
He said the maoist terror and violent activities taking place since the past five years have been imposed on the country in a conspiracy to destroy parliamentary democracy, and during this period all political parties and their leaders have been involved in government at different times and have tried to address this problem. What is essential is for us all to concentrate our effort and attention towards strengthening the security apparatus of the country, minimizing socio-economic disparity and maintaining ideological unity in order to defeat such terrorism rather than just day dreaming of wiping out this premeditated terrorism in a short time, he added.
In this connection His Majesty’s Government has taken some important decisions and initiatives, the Prime Minister said adding that the government has also brought forwarded an integrated work plan for domestic security and development.
Stating that important laws and measures relating to administrative structure are being worked out in order to strengthen the security bodies and His Majesty’s Government is also continuing its commitment and initiative towards resolving the problem through talks, Mr Koirala queried how terrorism can be dramatically put paid to if friends loose patience over such a sensitive issue and signal a division in our strength and unity.
Describing the allegation of cabinet involvement in the leasing of the Lauda Aircraft as a baseless accusation, the Prime Minister said it is very unsuitable for us democrats to give rise to a trend of making false accusations such as even the investigating bodies cannot make.
Mr Koirala also said His Majesty’s Government is determined to take action against individuals found guilty in investigations by the authorized body into the Lauda plane lease.