Reactionary forces strategising to jeopardise political achievements in a phased manner — first Cabinet reshuffle, followed by change of prime minister, dissolution of government and party split — Ram Bahadur Thapa, home minister

Kathmandu, October 23

Nepal Communist Party (NCP) today concluded that ‘reactionary forces’, including the main opposition Nepali Congress, had devised a strategy to topple the government and jeopardise the political achievements — federalism, republicanism, proportional representation, secularism and inclusion.

The NCP identified the NC, the Netra Bikram Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal and the separatist group led by CK Raut as ‘reactionary forces’. “They have forged a formal or informal working alliance,” Minister for Home Affairs Ram Bahadur Thapa, who is also a member of the NCP secretariat, charged.

The two-day NCP secretariat meeting also concluded that ‘reactionary forces’ were strategising to jeopardise the political achievements in a phased manner — first, through a Cabinet reshuffle, followed by change of prime minister, dissolution of the government and finally a split in the party.

Minister Thapa said ‘reactionary forces’ were conspiring to change the ministers of home affairs, finance and other portfolios to weaken the government. “The government’s enemies want to remove Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and replace him with someone else to create conflict within the ruling party,” said Thapa. “They are also trying to exploit the dissatisfaction among leaders and cadres to split the party.”

Thapa said the ‘reactionary forces’ game plan was to create instability in the country and blame the government for it. “These forces do not want a unified communist party,” he added. “But we have a counter-strategy in place.”

Conceding that ‘reactionary forces’ were prevailing due to the party’s weaknesses, he said the NCP would strengthen the government by addressing shortcomings and forging unity in the party. “The party unification process has been delayed. We will complete this task before Chhath festival (November 13),” he said. He said the party would develop a mechanism to monitor the three tiers of government.

He said the NCP would defend the political achievements made so far and steer the country towards socialism through development and prosperity. Thapa said the government had plans to generate 10,000MW electricity in a decade, establish manufacturing facilities in all seven provinces and modernise the agriculture sector by establishing super zones.

“The government is committed to maintaining good governance, eliminating social anomalies and adopting zero tolerance towards corruption,” he said.

Thapa also claimed the government had curbed activities of groups led by CK Raut and Chand and other criminal outfits.

Stating that criminal leaders had been forced to go underground, he said the government would completely dismantle such outfits. “We have also initiated the process of taking action against corrupt contractors and manpower agencies duping the country’s youths,” he said.

Thapa informed that the government planned to launch ‘anti-alcohol campaign’ as alcoholism was a major cause of violence against women. “Alcohol and drug abuse are also major factors leading to rape and prostitution,” he said.