KATHMANDU: Leaders of the Nepali Congress today expressed dissatisfaction at the leadership for not giving due honour to party cadres and leaders who sacrificed their lives for the party and democracy.

Addressing a condolence meet organised by the NC to mark the 13th day of the demise of NC veteran Shailaja Acharya, they argued that the trend of ignoring party workers could lead to the party’s downfall. The leaders were all praise for the heroic deeds and contribution of late Acharya to the party and the country. The leaders alleged that the party and the leadership were least bothered about providing medical care to ailing Acharya.

“The absence of party president Girija Prasad Koirala, leaders Sher Bahadur Deuba and Sushil Koirala and most of the central leaders in the meeting is a dishonour to late Acharya. It is irresponsible of the NC leaders,” said central member Khum Bahadur Khadka.

After Khadka’s speech, party chief secretary Ram Chandra Pokharel said president Koirala could not attend the programme for health reasons.

“The party’s hold and influence is weakening day by day due largely to its failure to practise the principles, norms and values established by leaders BP Koirala, Ganesh Man Singh, Krishna Prasad Bhattarai and Shailaja Acharya,” Khadka said. “The senior post holders nominated their relatives as Constituent Assembly members. There is no convincing record of party leaders and activists. The leadership merely followed the Maoist policy, inviting the party’s fall,” said Khadka. Central committee member Taranath Ranabhant also expressed dissatisfaction at the party’s mismanagement and functioning. NC parliamentary party leader Ram Chandra Paudel said he would try his best to take all factions of the party into confidence.