KATHMANDU, MARCH 13

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that one section of society was still hell bent on reversing the republican order, proportional inclusion and the rights won by oppressed classes and groups.

He said he could not be defeated by any power of the world as long as he remained committed to the nation and people.

Addressing a programme here today, the PM said if anybody had negative views on the peace process and leaders who led the peace process, who played a leading role during the constitution making process, then those elements would not succeed and ultimately the people of the country would succeed. 'Some people are still trying to reverse the current political gains,' he added.

He said the filing of case against him had created ripples in society but that had helped bring all Maoist forces together to unite. He said that after a writ petition was filed seeking to register a case against him, he viewed his responsibility to move ahead with the TRC Act (Amendment) Bill. The PM said since the court order was not against the peace process, there was nothing to worry about.

'We should not worry, but we should remain alert all the time,' he added, 'If we cannot remain vigilant and if we cannot continue to strengthen the party and unite forward looking revolutionary forces, then those forces that want to weaken us, will continue to do that.'

Recently the Supreme Court granted permission to some conflict victims to file case against PM Dahal for his 2020 speech in which he had said he could take responsibility for only 5,000 Maoist insurgency era deaths and not all 17,000 deaths.

The Supreme Court, however, refused to issue an interim order against the prime minister.

'A few days ago, it appeared that something was happening against the peace process and the prime minister, but I think that it is helping us because it has inspired all Maoist forces to come together and I am confident that there shall be a broader unity among us,' the PM added. He said he had immediately called a Cabinet meeting and decided to move the TRC (Amendment) bill ahead and registered the bill in the Parliament.

The PM said Maoist forces should develop the constitution by revising it to expand people's rights to build the foundation of socialism. He said progressive provisions in the constitution were incorporated as a result of the sacrifices of people. The PM said he would present the federal education bill this session and try his best to get the bill passed as soon as possible.

A version of this article appears in the print on March 14, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.