Birgunj, September 20

Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal presidium Coordinator Mahantha Thakur has blamed the government for the recent string of protests over the new penal code.

“People from all walks — from doctors to journalists and drivers — have taken to agitation, which wouldn’t have happened had the government discussed the contents in the penal code with other political parties and in the Parliament well before unveiling it to the public,” said the RJP-N leader, speaking at a party-organised press conference here today.

“As the government has also acknowledged lapses in the (penal) code, there is no option but to amend the faulty provisions,” he said, advising the government to bring new laws only through extensive discussion.

Thakur hit out at the government for not implementing past agreements regarding the constitution, and observed that government failure is slowly creating the stage for another agitation across the country.

“The government attained power on the back of agreements with us. It has now become lackadaisical on making good on its promises, which is not good as our struggle won’t stop until our concerns are addressed,” the RJP-N presidium coordinator said, suggesting that the government should not shirk from honouring its past agreements.

The RJP-N chief also revealed about his party’s plan to hold the party’s general convention in April next year and instructed the rank and file complete village and province level conventions by the given deadline.