Kathmandu, August 8
Formation of a new government (under Prachanda) has only strengthened prevailing mindset that getting Nepali people’s votes is not enough to become Prime Minister of Nepal, RPP-Nepal Chair and former deputy prime minister, Kamal Thapa, said on Monday.
In an oblique reference to India, Thapa said: In the process of forming a new government (in place of the Oli government), opinion that Nepali people’s votes are not sufficient to elect the country’s prime minister held sway.
Thapa said this while addressing the Parliament to convey his best wishes to the newly-elected PM.
In the past 26 years, 24 governments have come and gone. After promulgation of the Constitution, people had hoped there will be political stability now. This hope has proved unfounded now.
In the past 26 years, 24 governments have come and gone. After promulgation of the Constitution (through a popularly-elected Constituent Assembly), people had hoped there will be political stability now. This hope has proved unfounded now.
By toppling a government in a space of nine months, are the parties trying to give the message to the people that this Constitution is the main cause of political instability?
Then he asked: By toppling a government in a space of nine months, are the parties trying to give the message to the people that this Constitution is the main cause of political instability?
The former foreign minister further pointed that Nepali leaders were showing ‘surrenderist’ tendencies.
After signing of the 12-point understanding, foreign intervention has only increased in Nepal, he said, adding: A mindset that Nepali people’s votes are not enough to become Nepal’s PM, that foreign powers’ blessings are also necessary for the same, is prevailing.
He appealed: While making the Constitution, let’s establish the supremacy of Nepali people’s decisions.
Recalling the past, including the India-imposed blockade, Thapa said: Upholding national self-esteem, the Parliament promulgated a Constitution. A new government formed and the blockade ended.
It was Prachanda, who encouraged RPP-Nepal to join the (KP Oli-led) government, Thapa said, adding: I interacted with Prachanda umpteen times. At that time, I felt, Prachanda was full of nationalist sentiments.
The formation of a new government (under Prachanda) has given rise to doubts over the supremacy of the Nepali people’s decisions on matters concerning them, he said, adding: It’s a fact and we should accept it.
Nepal should have cordial relations with both China and India, Thapa said, adding: A nationalist Nepali can never be an anti-Indian.
He further said: Surrenderist tendencies are neither in the interest of Nepal nor do they contribute to Nepal-India relations.
