Jhapa, March 25

Nepali Congress central member Prakashman Singh today accused the government of trying to impose totalitarianism in the country.

Speaking at a press meet organised by Nepal Press Union, Jhapa, in Birtamode, NC leader Singh charged, “The government is hell-bent on imposing totalitarianism in the country.” He argued that Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli had tried to centralise power by bringing some ministries and constitutional bodies under him. “To bring the Department of Money Laundering Investigation under the Prime Minister’s Office, attempt to bring the Nepali Army under his jurisdiction, and delay in making laws appropriate to the local bodies and provinces have posed a challenge to democracy,” he stated.

Noting that press freedom and civil liberty would be safe in democracy alone, Singh stressed the need of mission journalism. He alleged that the Oli government had forgotten spirit of the constitution due to its arrogance of a two-thirds majority.

Singh flayed the government for just talking tall but doing nothing. “The government has failed to spend the development budget. This is failure of the government,” he charged. He accused the government of spoiling the investment ambiance in the country. “Against such a backdrop, it is absurd to organise International Investment Summit,” Singh added.

Singh said it was wrong to ban the Netra Bikram Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal. He asked the government to settle the problem through dialogue and consensus. He drew the government’s attention to the need to solve the problem through dialogue. “Dialogue is the only solution to the problem as the former Maoists were brought to mainstream politics through talks,” he added.

Singh said remarks aired on religion by party General Secretary Sashank Koirala of late was his personal view.