Kathmandu, Mar. 29:President of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party Surya Bahadur Thapa, evaluating the national politics of the last decade, said that good governance could not be provided, political corruption had increased due to lust for power among the leaders some of the provisions enshrined in the constitution had not ben exercised in practice and a question mark had been raised over democracy.

Inaugurating a national symposium concerning a decade of multiparty democracy and the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) here today, former prime minister Thapa noted that even the present government of the majority could not provide political stability and fulfil the aspirations of the people. He said “National issues can be dealt with only if there is understanding among the nationally recognised political parties.”

Stating that the RPP had faced many ups and downs during the past ten years, RPP President Thapa said after securing third position in the second general elections the role of the RPP had been vital, but the split in the party in the process of forming a coalition government was unfortunate.

The party had no experience of of tackling relations between party and government when the RPP was in power, Mr Thapa said adding that the party could win the chairmanship of the national assembly and a seat in that House due to skilful manoeuvering.

The split in the party had an adverse impact throughout the country and unity had been achieved again in line with the aspirations of the people and the party cadres, former prime minister Thapa said and pointed out the need to strengthen the party organisation in view of the forthcoming local elections.

Central spokesman and Head of the Training Department of the Party Kamal Thapa said that the symposium had been organised to evaluate and review the role played the party during the last ten years and find out ways to move ahead in the political, economic and social sectors in the days to come.

The three-day symposium will hold discussions on working papers presented by party vice-president Dr. Prakash Chandra Lohani, general secretary Pashupati Shamsher Rana, Sarvendra Nath Shukla and Hari Bahadur Basnet on topics such as role of liberalism in poverty alleviation and consolidation of rural economy, current economic scenario and challenges,  theoretical and practical aspects of democracy in Nepal, RPP perception of nationalism, etc.

Altogether 75 persons including RPP central members, MPs and departmental heads are attending the symposium.