Rajbiraj, March 12

Naya Shakti Nepal-Party Coordinator Baburam Bhattarai today said the incumbent government’s popularity was on the wane as it had failed to deliver good governance despite wielding a two-thirds majority.

Speaking at a press meet organised in Rajbiraj, Bhattarai held that the government was entangled in various scams including Ncell, 33 kg gold smuggling and Budhigandaki scam. He insisted that the government would not be able to check corruption in the country. “Due to the government’s dismal performance in corruption control, it has failed to create positive environment for economic development,” he added.

Bhattarai said rising trade deficit and inability to spend the development budget had stalled economic development of the country. Noting that statute amendment was essential to dispel dissatisfaction regarding the constitution, Bhattarai accused the government of not paying attention to addressing the discontent among Madhesi and ethnic communities towards the statute. He stressed the need to amend the statute to accommodate the sentiment of all the people and communities.

Bhattarai argued that the Netra Bikram Chand-led party had emerged due to the government’s failure to maintain good governance and contain corruption. “Revolt and protest will continue until dissatisfactions are addressed,” he stated.  Noting that poverty, lack of good governance and corruption would give birth to revolt, Bhattarai asked the government to accord top priority to such issues.

Bhattarai said that the government had adopted a dual policy while dealing with CK Raut and Resham Chaudhary. He charged that the government had influenced the judiciary and legislature. “The decision to release CK Raut, who was facing charge of secession and slapping life sentence on Resham Chaudhary speaks about governments’ dual policy,” he stated. Bhattarai charged that the court was influenced to release CK Raut and slap life sentence on Resham Chaudhary.

Bhattarai flayed the government for not delegating authority to the provinces. “The provision to keep CDO under the federal government and empower him might weaken federalism,” he added. He expressed dissatisfaction at the curtailing of provinces’ rights.