Ready to die, says Oli as UML's nationwide campaign resumes
HETAUNDA: CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli said his party would not step back from Nepal's national interests even if he and other leaders were killed for the cause.
He was addressing a mass assembly organised here in Hetaunda as the CPN-UML resumed its Mechi-Mahakali campaign after a hiatus for three days.
The nationwide campaign was put off for three days after some people were killed in police firing in Saptari when the cadres and supporters of United Democratic Madhesi Front tried to disrupt it.
The main opposition party resumed its campaign today, notwithstanding Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal's plea to cancel it.
Senior leaders of the party, including Jhala Nath Khanal and Madhav Kumar Nepal, were present at the function in Hetaunda today. They, however, did not get to address because of rain and storm as soon as Oli finished his speech.
Oli repeated his claim that a conspiracy was hatched to assassinate the CPN-UML leaders in Saptari, and said the party would stick to nationalism even if his or some other leaders’ life was taken.
Holding the government and the UDMF equally responsible, Oli said those who were “wont to farming death” behind the Saptari incident.
“Government is mute over the Saptari incident. Government’s behaviour makes its intent clearer,” he said.
He fired salvo of criticism at the UDMF, saying it was engrossed in violent activities. He suggested the alliance of Madhesi parties to correct itself.
If the government cannot provide security to the CPN-UML, Oli said, “We are ready to make security arrangements ourselves.”
The party’s General Secretary, Ishwar Pokhrel, said a plot was afoot to widen differences between Tarai and Pahad. This is not acceptable to UML, he added.
He argued that his party will not give in to the game to prohibit the CPN-UML, which garners support from millions of people, from entering Tarai.
The Mechi-Mahakali campaign, being organised on the eve of local elections, kicked off from Kakadbhitta of eastern Nepal on March 5 and is scheduled to conclude in Mahendranagar of western Nepal on March 17.
After staying over in Hetaunda, the participants of Mechi-Mahakali campaign will proceed to Chitwan tomorrow.
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