Dahal underscores need to institutionalise political gains

Chitwan, April 19

Nepal Communist Party (NCP) Co-chair Puspa Kamal Dahal has expressed his fear that the defunct autocracy may make a comeback should the political forces fail to institutionalise the latest political gains.

Speaking at an interaction programme organised by the Province 3 government and its planning commission in Bharatpur today, the ruling party leader dwelt on the present political scenario and held that failure to institutionalise the present political change would engender frustration among the public and put the entire system in peril.

“As it was through consensus we formulated the constitution and held all three levels of elections, it is upon us to continue this culture of consensus among all political parties to institutionalise recent political gains and drive the country towards prosperity,” Dahal said, terming the latest political change historic. “The latest change that overthrew the monarchy and established federalism and secularism is different from the previous changes of the 50’s and the 90’s,” he said.

On a different note, the former prime minister also underscored the need to take the private sector into confidence to develop the country. “In the past, private sector was always seen with suspicion, it’s high time we realised the mistake and took the private sector into confidence,” added the leader, who argued that the dream of attracting foreign investment would not materialise without taking the private sector into confidence.

Speaking at the event, Nepali Congress leader and former Finance Minister Ram Sharan Mahat said the implementation of development plans and policies had always been a hurdle for the country. “We may have better plans and policies, but the most important thing is whether we can implement these or not,”he said.

Province 3 Chief Minister Dormani Poudel and the provincial Policy and Planning Commission Vice-chair Khimlal Devkota also expressed their views on the occasion.