Kathmandu, November 19

The main opposition Nepali Congress today pointed out the government’s 21 failures in the last 21 months, hoping to inflict some damage to the ruling party in the forthcoming by-polls.

Urging all to cast their votes in the by-elections slated for November 30 bearing in mind the government’s poor performance, the NC said the election results would play a positive role in pressuring the government to mend its ways.

Organising a press conference at the party headquarters in Sanepa, NC Spokesperson Bishwa Prakash Sharma said the by-elections were not only about electing 52 people’s representatives, but also a test for ruling and opposition parties, as well as voters.

“If voters cast their votes after minutely analysing the government’s performance in the past 21 months in office, by-elections could disseminate positive message and prompt all to move ahead in a more polished manner,” said Sharma.

The NC has placed the government’s failure to make diplomatic efforts to hold dialogue with India to reclaim the Kalapani region at the top of the list. Sharma said the leadership only made public comments for media consumption.

The NC said the government also failed to ensure broad ownership of the constitution by addressing concerns of Tarai-Madhes through amendment.

The NC also pointed out the ruling party’s ‘ideological confusion’.

It said the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) was still guided by communist ideology, which was contrary to the constitution’s provisions.

According to the NC, the government failed to implement federalism, evident from the fact that several provinces have yet to get names and headquarters. It said the government also failed in terms of delegating rights and allocating resources to provincial governments guaranteed by the constitution.

On the foreign policy front, the NC pointed out controversies over Kalapani, Venezuela and Xi Jinping Thought.

The NC said the government’s handling of Netra Bikram Chand-led group and Nirmala Panta rape and murder case pointed to its failure on the law and order front.

It also highlighted corruption in wide-body aircraft procurement and Baluwatar land-grab. It said the government’s move to award the Budigandaki hydropower contract to a Chinese firm without competition was ‘not a responsible nationalist move’.

It also pointed out the government’s wrong decisions on Melamchi drinking water project and Nijgad international airport project.

It accused the government of putting medical students’ future in doldrums by not strictly implementing agreements reached with anti-corruption crusader Dr Govinda KC.

It claimed that the government was hell bent on controlling freedom of press and expression through several legislations. It also condemned the controversial Guthi Bill.

It added that the government made a huge mistake by becoming co-organiser of Asia Pacific Summit, which was held to promote a specific religion.

Other failures on the list of 21 were dwindling share market and intolerant remarks made by the PM and ministers.