Phidim, February 20

Former prime minister and CPN-UML senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal has cautioned Prime Minister KP Oli, who is on his maiden India visit, to not sign any deal, which would be against the national interest.

Speaking at a press conference in Phidim, the district headquarters of Panchthar today, Nepal said the PM should bear in mind the hope people have pinned on him and his government.

“At a time when the country is struggling to recover from last year’s massive earthquakes, recent Tarai agitation and border blockade, the Prime Minister should not sign any deal that would make people

lose trust in his leadership and the government,” said Nepal.

He, however, expressed confidence that the visit would help improve the strained ties between the two neighbours.

On a different note, the former prime minster urged senior leaders of the government and political parties to walk the talk and not just talk the talk. “It’s good to dream big, but concrete developments would be appreciated more,” he suggested.

Expressing his dissatisfaction over the performance of the incumbent government, he maintained that the government needs to improve its performance in order to provide give respite to the people.

“Everyone understands that the government assumed power in a difficult situation and has failed to deliver as it is comprises various parties with different ideologies.

However, it has to overcome the challenges and deliver,” he said.

He also expressed confidence that the dissenting United Democratic Madhesi Front will ultimately join the political mechanism formed by the government to resolve the issue of provincial boundaries.