Kathmandu, November 10

President Bidhya Devi Bhandari today appealed to all political parties to continue talks to forge consensus and unity to tackle national problems and the crisis confronting the country.

As unity among pro-change parties had ended the complex and long-drawn transition and made promulgation of the constitution and establishment of federal democratic republic system possible, the parties should now give continuity to unity and collaboration to resolve problems and difficulties through talks, President Bhandari said at a programme organised by Ganeshman Singh and People’s Movement Memorial Peace Foundation to mark Ganeshman Singh’s Birth Centenary Year.

“May this occasion inspire those who contributed to institutionalise the federal democratic republic system from various fronts,” Bhandari said.

Stating that the country has entered the phase of implementing the constitution, she said resolving national problems through talks and unity would be a true tribute to late Ganeshman Singh.

Bhandari said the contribution of late Ganeshman and the immortal martyrs were sources of inspiration, as a lot of work was yet to be done to fulfil their dreams.

Former Speaker Subas Chandra Nembang said unity among democratic forces made promulgation of the new constitution possible. “Still there are many challenges in implementing the new constitution and I am not happy with the division among pro-change parties now,” Nembang said.

Nepali Congress General Secretary Prakashman Singh said late NC leaders Ganeshman Singh

and Girija Prasad Koirala made important contributions to institutionalise democratic norms and values in the country. Political parties should work to make the country self-dependent to resolve problems like the border blockade. “All leaders should come together to start an economic revolution,” Singh said.

President Bhandari conferred late NC leader Girija Prasad Koirala with a posthumous gold medal and commendation for his contribution to establishing the federal democratic republic system and honoured former speaker Nembang for his contribution in promulgating the new constitution on behalf of the foundation.

Former PM Koirala’s daughter Sujata Koirala received the medal and commendation. Foundation President and NC leader Bhimsen Das Pradhan highlighted the selfless contribution of late Ganeshman Singh to the democratic movement and urged all to follow his path.

Meanwhile, NC Acting President Ram Chandra Paudel said that the latest election of the prime minister was crucial to bring the Madhesi and Pahade community together.

“There was distance between the government and Pahade communities and agitating Madhesi forces. However, this has been reduced after the NC fielded its candidacy in the PM’s election,” Paudel said, addressing another programme organised to mark Ganeshman Singh’s Centenary Day.

The NC developed its strength to deal with agitating Madhesi forces and neighbouring India to end the internal problems and the undeclared blockade on the Nepal-India border points diplomatically. He said the NC should now play a major role not to allow the blockade to be prolonged.

Assessing that continuing ties with the CPN-UML would damage NC’s influence in the Tarai-Madhes region, the NC decided to break ties with the UML, Paudel said. “The party has given more priority to implementation of the constitution rather than attaining posts like that of the president, vice-president, prime minister, speaker and deputy speaker,” Paudel said.