Chitwan, July 28

Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba today said the government had compelled his party to hit the streets.

Addressing 10th National Convention of Democratic Lawyers’ Association at Nawalpur’s Gaindakot, Deuba held that it was not his party’s choice but compulsion to launch protest against the government.

Stating that the government was taking undemocratic decisions, Deuba reiterated that his party was forced to hit the streets. He urged the government to move ahead in a democratic manner.

“Many decisions made by the incumbent government are against democratic norms. Thus, NC was forced to hit the streets to defend past achievements and safeguard the statute,” Deuba stated, adding, “Although communists came to power through polls, they have been trying to impose totalitarianism. Thus, we have to stop them from doing so.”

Deuba accused the government of taking decisions by defying the statute. Stating that the government was attacking democratic norms, values and the rule of law, Deuba urged the people to be cautious.

“We all have to be united to stop the government’s intervention in the judiciary. I met Prime Minister Oli and asked if he wanted confrontation or agreement,” Deuba held.

Deuba admitted that his party had weakened. “NC has become weak as it looks like two parties despite being a single party. Since the two communist parties united and went to the polls, NC was defeated in the election,” Deuba argued.

At the programme, NC senior leader Ramchandra Paudel said the incumbent government’s latest moves were bad omen for the country and democracy. “Parliamentary Hearing Committee’s delay in confirming the appointment of a new chief justice is suspicious,” Poudel said.

Poudel also stated that the ruling party had defied the constitutional provision as per which speaker and deputy speaker could not be from the same party.

Noting that the agitation that his party was about to start was symbolic, Poudel held that his party would bring people to hit the street if need be.

NC Vice-president Bimalendra Nidhi accused the government of acting against the constitution. “The latest moves of the government have terrorised people. This is the path to totalitarianism. To prevent this, we need to launch a massive agitation,” Nidhi stated.

The general convention will elect a new 47-member leadership of the association. As many as 1,131 representatives are taking part in the convention from across the country.