Kathmandu, February 28, 2006

Rastriya Janashakti Party (RJP) chairman Surya Bahadur Thapa today warned of a disastrous situation in the country as constitutional forces have failed to come together after the ‘ruling establishment went out of the constitutional jurisdiction’. “The 12-point understanding reached between the seven-party alliance and the CPN-Maoist was the outcome of the intransigence demonstrated by the ruling establishment all along ignoring the call for due correction,” a senior RJP leader quoted Thapa as telling the central committee meeting while presenting a political paper. “Constitutional forces could not make an entry in the framework of the constitution just because the ruling establishment itself went out of the constitutional framework,” the paper, which will be made public tomorrow, said. Thapa also warned of an explosive situation if the 1990 constitution was not made a “departure point” and a “common base” for all the constitutional forces. The Supreme Court (SC) decision on RCCC is a “great opportunity” for all the constitutional forces to come together for peace and solve the constitutional mess. “This is the last chance now,” the paper reads. He said since the nation has entered a critical phase, “we should expect a much bigger disaster if we do not form a broader democratic alliance as part of the common effort at bailing the nation out of the crisis”.

 Nepal-India ties exemplary, says Indian envoy

Jhapa, February 28, 2006

Indian ambassador to Nepal, Shiv Shankar Mukherjee, has said diplomatic ties between Nepal and India are unique. He said this while inaugurating the new building of Gaurigunj Multiple College in Bhadrapur, Jhapa, today. The two-storey concrete building with 18 classrooms was constructed with the financial assistance of the Indian government. Mukherjee praised the age-old cultural and religious ties between the two open-border neighbours. He said the Indian government always wished well being of Nepalis. At the same function, it was informed that India is operating 162 projects in 62 districts at a cost of Rs 14,000 million. Speaking at the meet, chairperson of the campus management committee, Shayam Prasad Dhakal, said the building was constructed with Rs 12 lakhs collected from local sources and Rs 67 lakhs provided by the Indian government. Zonal Administrator Shyam Kishor Singh also expressed his views at the

programme presided over by the chairperson of the Distinct Development Committee, Rajendra Lingden. The organisers said the programme had to be shifted to the district headquarters for security reasons.