Not interested in presidency, says Nepal

Rautahat, October 19

CPN UML senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal today said that that he would turn down the offer if approached for the post of President.

Speaking at a function organized by UML Chandrapur Municipal Committee in Rautahat, Nepal said, “I do not want to become the head of the state as I wish to remain active in politics.”

He said that Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli had bowed too low before the UCPN-Maoists while sharing ministerial portfolios. “UML lost powerful ministers as we bowed too low before the UCPN-Maoist. This was not necessary”, Nepal added.

Speaking at the function, Nepal asked the party rank and file to go to the villages and explain the clauses of the new constitution to the people. “A constitution does not offer sweet or gold. It has to guarantee the rights and the new constitution guarantees rights to all communities,” said Nepal.

On the ongoing Tarai agitation, Nepal urged the agitating Madhesi parties to ditch differences and remain Nepali at their heart. He held that those bringing misery to the people cannot be leaders of Madhes and the Madhesi people. “They launch an agitation and rush to cast vote in the prime ministerial election in the Parliament”, Nepal said, adding, “This is ridiculous.”

He said dialogue was the only way to bail the country out of the current crisis. He urged the agitating Madhesi parties to come to the negotiating table.