Tanahun, December 9:

NC vice-president Ram Chandra Poudel claimed that Nepal should treaded on the development path of Switzerland long time back, had his party been allowed to work freely.

Laying the foundation stone of the 13-kilowatt Banjakhola small hydel project at Kotdarbar VDC today, Poudel said that the Maoists had slowed the pace of development by killing and intimidating development workers.

Stating that extremists and violent people knew only destruction, he said the Maoists had failed to build the nation. Poudel wanted the main coalition partner to put an end to violence and anarchy, facilitating the transformation of the nation. Blaming the Maoists of practising neo-feudalism, Poudel saw the NC’s need of playing an opposition role. He said the Maoists had cut on development budget to support their party activities.

“The government has proved a failure despite NC’s allowing it to function smoothly,” Poudel said, adding, “The government failed owing to its own mistake.” He also said none other but the NC can work for the country’s development.”

Alleging that CPN-UML has been blindly supporting all the Maoist proposals, he said NC had always advocated for the welfare of women, dalits and indigenous people.