KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 15
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal took potshot at the CPN-UML for trying to create rift in the current ruling coalition partners.
Addressing a programme in his home district of Chitwan today, PM Dahal accused the UML of attempting to break the ruling coalition by supporting Nepali Congress lawmaker in the Koshi Provincial Assembly Kedar Karki to become the Chief Minister but he reached an understanding with NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba and Shekhar Koirala about continuing the current coalition. The ruling coalition had supported CPN-MC lawmaker Indra Ango for the chief ministership but Karki, who had the support of seven NC lawmakers and CPN-UML lawmakers, became the new Chief Minister. Today, Karki formed a three-member Cabinet inducting a minister from UML as well. UML leaders have said that they supported rebel NC leader Karki to avoid mid-term polls in Koshi Province.
PM Dahal said one group of people had a fear that due to his government's efforts to ensure political stability by pursuing a balanced foreign policy vis-à-vis India, China and USA, and that they would never be able to get the opportunity to return to power. "You might call them very desperate because you recently saw what happened in Koshi Province," he said.
"One group of people cannot tolerate the good job this ruling coalition has been doing and therefore, they are trying to conspire against the ruling coalition," he added.
PM Dahal further said, "Political moves orchestrated in Koshi Province were done with the motive of creating rift in the ruling coalition."
He said the conspiracy hatched by CPN-UML was foiled after NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba and NC leader Shekhar Koirala reached an agreement. He assured the public that the current ruling coalition would complete the full five-year tenure and would work for the prosperity and welfare of the people.
In an oblique reference to UML, PM Dahal said one group of people envied that the government had been trying to solve the problems faced by the people within the country and in foreign destinations where they were working.
"This government has addressed their (non-resident Nepalis)'s concerns on citizenship laws and is also trying to ensure their voting rights. This government has also solved citizenship problems faced by the people within the country," he added. PM Dahal said the government had also protected and enhanced the country's self-respect, freedom and independence.
"Understandings and agreements reached during my visit in India, Italy, the USA during my visit for UNGA and China have enhanced our prestige, freedom and independence and have taken our neutral and non-aligned policy to a new height," PM Dahal remarked.
A version of this article appears in the print on October 16, 2023, of The Himalayan Times
