POKHARA: Former Prime Minister and Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba said the budget announcement for the fiscal year 2016/17 was introduced with an intention to misuse the state coffers.

Addressing his cadres in Pokhara of Kaski on Sunday, Deuba said, "The money that the Congress had collected from foreign donors is being used for their cadres."

"Which nation do you think will believe in communists?" he asked, adding, "Foreigners had trusted the Congress and provided money for earthquake survivors."

The former prime minister, therefore, urged his cadres to stay alert against misuse of the state funds.

"This budget may yield some temporary popularity to the government," he argued, "But economists say it is not appropriate for sustainable development."

Meanwhile, Deuba accused the government led by CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli of not willing to hold local elections.

He said only the Nepali Congress was able to lead the Constitution implementation, "Congress should be strong to strengthen democracy."

Deuba said he would work to end all forms of factionalism in the party. "My last wish is to make the party one as the president. Now, the factional politics has ended in the party."

NC central leaders Sujata Koirala and Bal Krishna Khand had also spoken at the function.