NC (D) general convention kicks off; leaders call for restoration of democracy for peace

January 5, 2006
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Leaders of various political parties have said that restoration of democracy is inevitable to restore peace and resolve problems dogging the country.

Acting president of the Nepali Congress (Democratic), Gopal Man Shrestha, inaugurating the 11th general convention of the party at New Baneshwore, Thursday, Jan 05 06.

Acting president of the Nepali Congress (Democratic), Gopal Man Shrestha, inaugurating the 11th general convention of the party at New Baneshwore, Thursday, Jan 05 06. nepalnews.com/rh

Speaking at the inaugural session of the Nepali -Democratic NC (D) that kicked off at the Birendra International Convention Centre on Thursday, they said the King should return people’s rights to the people to give outlet to the present political crisis dogging the country.

In his message sent from custody, President of the NC (D), Sher Bahadur Deuba said that the King has detached himself from the democracy through the February 1 royal takeover.

He claimed that municipal poll is a ploy of the King to legalise his undemocratic royal move and added that the government should take the responsibility of violence as the Maoists broke the ceasefire due to the government.

The controversial Royal Commission for Corruption Control (RCCC) has been detaining former president and NC (D) president Deuba and central committee member of the party the then minister for physical planning and works Prakash Man Singh in the charge of irregularities in the Melamchi Drinking Water project.

Speaking at the programme, General Secretary of CPN-UML, Madhav Kumar Nepal has said that there has been conspiracy to demoralize democratic forces.

Stating that the 11-month long direct rule of the King has failed, Nepal said that there is a need of election of the constituent assembly.

He added that failure of the municipal poll will give a new height to the ongoing agitation political parties and urged all to make the poll a failure.

Chairman of Rastriya Janashakti Party and former Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa urged the NC (D) to choose the principle as per the aspiration of youths.

He said that there have been efforts to weaken political parties to weaken the democracy.

Chairman of Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Pashupati Shumser Rana said that RPP is facing punishment for supporting the principle of multiparty democracy. “But RPP will never compromise in the principle of democracy,” Rana added.

Rana further said that there is a need of dialogue among constitutional forces to resolve the crisis dogging the country and the government should initiate efforts for resolving the problem, adding, “Formation of all-party government and holding talks with Maoists is essential for it.”

Sitaram Yechuri, a senior leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and acting president of Nepal Democracy solidarity committee– a committee comprising political parties of India after February 1 royal takeover to express solidarity to the movement of Nepal for the restoration of democracy – said Indian political parties had consensus regarding restoration of democracy in Nepal.

He further added that though Nepalese people and political parties has the authority to decide the modality of democracy but Indian political parties will support Nepalese political parties in their fight for the restoration of democracy.

Speaking at the same programme, leaders of Nationalistic Congress Party of India Professor Ramesh Dixit and DP Tripathi, leader of socialist party Bijay Pratap Singh also expressed solidarity to the ongoing agitation of the seven political parties and demanded immediate restoration of democracy in Nepal.

They criticised the detention of NC (D) president and former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and the then minister for physical planning and works Prakash Man Singh, terming their detention as illegal and conspiracy of the government.

Kamar Jaman Kairo, representative of Pakistan People’s Party expressed solidarity of their party and Benijir Bhutto to the ongoing democratic movement of the country and expressed best wishes for the success of the general convention.

More than 1500 general convention representatives from all 75 districts are participating in the three-day general convention.

Acting NC (D) president, Gopal Man Shrestha, inaugurated the general convention, which the party claims to be its 11th convention.

Media reports earlier said founder leader of Nepali Congress and former premier, KP Bhattarai, was expected to inaugurate the convention. Bhattarai is no more taking part in active politics mainly due to ill health after the NC underwent a vertical split in 2002.

Then premier Sher Bahadur Deuba led the break away faction after NC led by GP Koirala started disciplinary action against him for dissolving the parliament the same year.

Both the parties, however, are agitating against the royal takeover of February 2005 as members of the seven-party opposition alliance.

NC (D) is likely to declare itself neutral towards the constitutional monarchy in its party statute. The 11th general convention of Nepali Congress had also decided to delete references to constitutional monarchy from the party’s statute last year in response to the royal takeover.

The general convention will elect new executive committee for the next term of two years.