Enough of Koirala

The CPN-Maoist has taken the right decision in proposing the name of Ram Raja Prasad Singh for the post of the first President of Nepal. Singh’s appointment will enhance national

integrity at this crucial hour when national unity is in danger of coming apart. The other political parties should have no trouble accepting a Madhesi leader with uncompromising faith in the cause of republicanism.

On the other hand, Girija Prasad Koirala was not a republican, and, until recently, he was still in favour of the monarchy while most of his own party members wanted to abolish the institution. In fact, Nepali Congress general secretaries have traditionally been loyal to the royals. Now, Koirala, by refusing to step down even after the dismal showing of his party in CA polls, is weakening the democratic credentials of his party and his own reputation.

The NC has never won any election under Koirala’s leadership. He accidentally became prime minister after the 1991 election in which K P Bhattarai lost. The Koirala-led NC was routed

in the 1994 election. The NC fought 1999 election under the electoral leadership of Bhattarai. Koirala has no mandate to continue in power, nor does he deserve the post of the first president of republican Nepal.

Sanu Kayastha, Lagankhel

Disgusting

It was disgusting to read that the examinees of Education Stream resorted to vandalism when invigilators caught them cheating, “MEd examinees turn vandals” (THT, June 19).

How can people entrust such people with the future of their children? What kind of education can they provide? Or do these unscrupulous teachers in the making aim to teach their students how to cheat?

Tulsa, Kathmandu

Congrats!

I would like to congratulate the Nepali youth for their great success in obstructing the movement of traffic on one pretext or another. It proves that they can do anything they like. It is clear to one and all that these youths are motivated by leaders of various political parties.

I am sure the energetic youths could have given their political parties at least 40 seats each had they worked so hard in the villages during the election. Burning tyres in the capital

is easy than going to villages and convincing voters to cast their ballots for their ‘democratic’ leaders. This is Nepali democracy in action after the fall of monarchy. I wonder who they are protesting against with the king no longer around? Against the democracy that so many people shed their blood to bring about?

Rajendra Man Tamang, Kathmandu

Exorbitant

Passengers in Bhaktapur have to fork out 160 per cent more in bus fares after the

arbitrary increase in the fares following the oil price hikes. While previously a

local bus charged Rs.5, the fare has now skyrocketed to Rs.13 for the same distance. Aren’t the transporters supposed to raise fares only in the range of 26-35 per cent as advised by the

government? The local buses are blatantly cheating Bhaktapur locals.

The concerned authorities should stop bus operators from fleecing common people.

Rabin Rachalica, Green Team Bhaktapur