Morang, January 29

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Bijay Kumar Gachhadar today said the time was not yet ripe to change the incumbent KP Sharma Oli-led government.

Talking to the mediapersons at Biratnagar airport, Gachhadar held that there was no point in changing the government simply because it had drawn criticism from some quarters. “The incumbent government was formed in a crisis situation.

So, it has not been able to do many things,” said Gachhadar. He, however, said that the government had started some important works, including reconstruction of infrastructures destroyed in the recent earthquakes.

In another context, Gachhadar urged the agitating United Democratic Madhesi Front to withdraw their prolonged agitation. “Since most of the demands put forth by the UDMF have been addressed, they should suspend their agitation,” he said.

Gachhadar said the government was holding discussions with the UDMF to seek a solution to the issue of provincial boundaries. “It is not possible to fulfill all the demands in single shot.

We can meet other demands of the agitating parties through constitution amendment in future,” added Gachhadar.

He also claimed that the recent amendments to the constitution had addressed the demands of indigenous groups, Madhesis, Tharus, Muslims and other marginalised communities.

On a different note, he said obstructions at Nepal-India border points would be removed in a few days. “Obstructions at border entry points would be removed completely in a few days.

This would ease supply of essential commodities to the country from India,” said Gachhadar.

Commenting on Rangeli incident, Minister Gachhadar said police should not have opened fire on peaceful protesters. “It was a sad and an unpleasant incident. Police should have maintained restraint,” he said.