THT 10 YEARS AGO: Don’t ignore world view, KP Oli warns govt

Kathmandu, January 13, 2006

CPN-UML strongman KP Sharma Oli has warned the ruling establishment not to take the views of the international community, including the United Nations, the European Union, and India, who are supporting the seven party alliance, for granted. “People who have been picked up to serve as Bhardars (courtiers) should not try to manipulate the international community. The latter cannot be expected to share their views,” Oli said while speaking at the Reporters’ Club today. Efforts to pick up a fight with India, the UN and the EU will have worst consequences, he warned, adding that the the incumbent dispensation should not have double standard on foreign intervention. “When certain countries back them (people   in the government), they take it as their success. But they resort to criticism when certain nations don’t back them,” Oli s aid. Stating that Prachand a had agreed to fight for the Maoists’ cause in a peaceful manner by co-signing th e 12-point understanding, Oli flayed the government for trying to disrupt the peaceful movement by deploying army men in different places. Oli, however, made it clear that the upcoming crucial phase of the agitation will settle the burning issues permanently. “We began with mass mobilisation in Butwal. Expect much more in the future,” Oli said, claiming that the rally planned in the capital in the next few days “will have the world appreciating us”. “The decisive phase of the movement will begin shortly,” he said.

EC told to attend hearing on RPP case

Kathmandu, January 13, 2006

The Pat an Appellate Court today ordered the Election Commission (EC) to attend a hearing on January 18 to discuss whether or not to issue a stay order as sought by chairman of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), Pashuati SJB Rana, not to recognise the Home Minister Kamal Thapa-led RPP. A single bench of chief judge Rana Bahadur Bam ordered the EC to clarify on the issue by within 15 days. The bench directed the EC and the Office of the Appellate Government Attorney to attend the hearing and produce evidence if they feel there is no need to issue a stay order as sought by the petitioners. The bench also scheduled the case in the priority list, citing its ‘nature of sensitivity.’ During today’s hearing, lawyers representing Rana claimed that the Kamal Thapa led-RPP is a result of misusing of power by the ministers and there is an urgent need for the court to intervene in the matter. “There is an urgent need for the court’s intervention as Home Minister Thapa has illegally formed the so-called RPP by misusing power and there is danger that the EC may give the election symbol to the Thapa-led RPP,” argued Senior advocate Radheshyam Adhikary. He said that there is no possibili ty of getting justice from the government as it is conspiring to h old elections by “misusing power.”