UML leader seeks support for five-party alliance

Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, April 14:

CPN-UML stand in general secretary Jhalanath Khanal today appealed to the people to back the five-party alliance in its peaceful agitation against “royal takeover” to ensure achievement of total democracy after which future generation would not have to waste time for next pro-democracy movement. Issuing a press statement on the occasion of New Year 2062 BS, Khanal said, “We do not want a formal and limited democratic system, but an inclusive one, which guarantees that the elected people’s representatives can make their own constitution and go for a referendum on serious national and political issues, if need be.” Khanal remained absent at the tea party hosted by the party’s Valley Coordination Committee for fear of his arrest. He said it has become evident that each and every move taken by the King since February 1 is against the people, democracy, mutual dialogue and national reconciliation.

“There is no other alternative than to launch peaceful movement for total democracy,” he said, adding that the state and the Maoists were equally responsible for gross human rights violation. Keeping in mind the escalating human rights violation from both the warring sides, Khanal said, ongoing 61st session of United Nations Commission on Human Rights was compelled to set up a monitoring operation to monitor human rights violation in Nepal. Earlier today, as a chief guest of the tea party, UML standing committee member KP Sharma Oli said that democratic process was essential even to find peaceful solution to ongoing violence.

“Peace and democratic process cannot be restored unless the democratic forces come together and launch peaceful movement against royal takeover,” Oli said, addressing a gathering at the tea party. He also ruled out immediate dialogue with the King without the release of all the political leaders, including party general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal, human rights activists and journalists.