Kathmandu, July 6:

Chairman of Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Pashupati Samsher Rana today criticised the seven-party alliance for denying the RPP the opposition’s role in parliament.

Addressing students of the Nepal Democratic Students’ Organisation (NDSO), affiliated to the RPP, he accused the seven parties of being shocked by the “democratic movement” of the party and denying it a role in the new situation.

“The RPP always opposed the king’s autocracy and has been rooting for democracy ever since the February 1 takeover. It strongly opposed the municipal election, kicked out some leaders for the same reason, stood for election to a constituent assembly and supported the House declaration,” Rana said, adding, “But, the seven-party alliance is frightened of our constructive support, does not tolerate our role in the democratic movement and is doing its best to dismantle and destroy us.”

Rana vowed that he would make the RPP an “election-winning machine” by adopting all possible means to strengthen the party in the new circumstances. Rana said that after weathering a series of crises, the party had become truly democratic and it would utilise its experience to take a “middle-path democratic path”. He reminded the audience of party-splits and internal disputes which hampered cadres and added that no party in Nepal had had to strive so much for survival.

Rana also pointed out that the government hadn’t done enough homework on the eight-point agreement with the Maoists and that it was not serious about arms management or holding the election to a constituent assembly.