Pokhara, January 26

CPN-UML Chairperson and former prime minister KP Sharma Oli said the next government to be led by the left alliance would revoke all ‘populist’ decisions taken by the present government.

Speaking at a programme here today, the former PM accused the government of causing huge financial burden on the State with its arbitrary decisions.

“The country is already under a huge financial strain due to unprecedented expenditures it incurred while implementing federalism, providing incentives to retired government employees and appointing new staff. The recent government decision to provide an additional one lakh rupees to quake victims and provide old age allowance early is going to create additional financial burden,” he said, adding the entire national economy will take a battering from such irresponsible decisions taken for popularity.

On a different note, the UML chief said his party was ready to amend the constitution provided the amendment was in the interest of the country and the people. “We’re ready to amend the statute. Howe the idea is out of question if it is against national sovereignty and unity and will have far-flung negative implications for the country,” he said, adding the statute was not discriminatory against Madhes in any way. “After they proposed an amendment to the constitution, we called on Madhesi leaders for discussion but they have always shied away. In fact, the Madhes agenda has been a cheap political bargaining chip that Madhes-based parties have been exploiting,” he said.

On the occasion, CPN-Maoist Centre leader Krishna Bahadur Mahara said the government decision to make key political appointments would undermine its own popularity and erode public trust. “As the people have, through election, entrusted us to run the country, we will fulfil that responsibility and lead the country to prosperity,” he said.