7-party alliance reiterates need for House revival

Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, May 10:

The newly-forged seven-party alliance today reinforced the demand for the reinstatement of the House of Representatives even as it expressed resentment at the way some parties did not realise the importance of insisting on the parliament’s revival.

These views were expressed during a function organised in the memory of Nirmal Lama in the capital today.

“We all have one objective now. And that is the revival of the House of Representatives. This is the first formal public function where it is being publicly stated,” said Nepali Congress (NC) leader Ram Krishna Tamrakar.

He was of the view that constitutional monarchs do well if they keep out of active politics since “this can often result in worst circumstances.”

He said that although Emergency has been lifted, it is still in place in real terms. What Tamrakar said was vindicated by the fact that the mass meeting was encircled by gun-totting security personnel.

Earlier, Ashok Rai of the CPN-UML, conceded that the pol-itical parties which had not considered the House revival as the only way out had erred and were sorry for that.

“We have made mistakes but we are making amends,”

said Rai, adding that the alliance was bracing up to give complete shape to democracy which

had remained incomplete in the past.

Meanwhile, Nepal Workers and Peasants’ Party (NWPP) Chairman, Narayan Man Bijukchhe, was of the view that the solution suggested by foreign powers would not lead the nation anywhere.

“We may get to see democracy but may end up losing the nation. It is surprising to see

decisions being taken in a foreign country about Nepal,” he said, adding that care must

be taken to protect the nation and democracy.

He, however, sounded tough when putting forth his view on the nature of the movement which may be announced in due course.

He said that no one can predict the actual course of the movement and that it would be misleading to say that “we will be sticking to the centrist approach.”

He also cautioned the alliance leaders and asked them to be careful in not falling victim to cajoling by envoys who have time and again prevailed on democratic parties to back out from launching a movement promising definite changes.

The rally was addressed by NC (D) leader, Dr Minendra Rijal, Nepal Sadbhavana Party’s (Anandi), Anil Kumar Jha and Jana Morcha Nepal leader Chitra Bahadur Ale.