Kathmandu, March 14

Former prime minister and Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba today said the opposition party had a significant role in the Parliament for strengthening democracy.

Deuba said the NC, which had been fighting for democracy since 1950, had now got the responsibility in the federal Parliament and provincial assemblies, and that it would fulfil the responsibility effectively.

“I hope the NC’s presence in the Parliament as the main opposition will be more effective than in the government,” he said at an orientation programme organised for NC members of Parliament and provincial assemblies. Stating the people would be watching the issues raised by the opposition, Deuba directed NC lawmakers to make arguments only on the basis of proper study of issues. “This is how the voter base can be created for the next election,” he said.

Senior NC leader Ramchandra Paudel stressed the responsible and effective role of the party as the opposition in the Parliament. He directed lawmakers not to oppose anything and urged them to present themselves responsibly and effectively in the Parliament.

NC General Secretary Shashank Koirala also said that any issue should be addressed on the basis of merit in the Parliament. A total of 189 lawmakers representing the NC took part in the one-day orientation programme. The event had four sessions.