KATHMANDU, MAY 28
A day before the government plans to present the budget through an ordinance, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli addressed the nation to justify his move dissolving the House of Representatives and seeking fresh mandate.
The PM said he wanted the HoR to complete its full five-year term, but the events in the past three months after the reinstatement of the HoR did not ensure political stability, prompting him to dissolve the HoR. He said he staked claim to form the government on the basis of party-wise support of the CPN- UML and the Janata Samajbadi Party-Nepal, but some lawmakers of the UML and the JSP-N also supported Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba's bid for prime ministership in violation of the party system, a cause for concern in a multi-party system.
The PM said that seeking a fresh mandate was not a regressive move. "Forging an unprincipled alliance to form a new government is a fraudulent act." He said he tried his best to keep the keep NCP (NCP), as well as UML, united went in vain 'due to some leaders' divisive attitude'.
The PM said vaccine producers' inability to ramp up vaccine production had adversely impacted COVAX programme aimed at helping developing countries.
Without specifying any timeline, the PM said all adult citizens will be fully vaccinated. "No one is safe until everyone is safe," the PM said developed countries, particularly G7 and G20 groups, should help developing countries with COVID-19 vaccines.
The PM said the government's programmes and projects were aimed at making the slogan 'Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali' come true.
A version of this article appears in the print on May 29, 2021, of The Himalayan Times.
