TIME TO GO?

The Kathmandu Post

4 March 2016

TIME TO GO?

The statements made by Prachanda, Chairman of UCPN(M) during different occasions about the possibility of new government soon after the Nepali Congress’s general convention sounded a bit controversial at a time when PM K P Oli is found to be boasting loudly about his state visit to India (“New govt after NC convention: Dahal” 2 March, Page 3). Is it politically correct for Prachanda to make such statements when the coalition government had just completed its five months in the office? Are his any clandestine petty interests behind this?  Does it mean that the same old game of changing the government has started again in Nepal?

There are many things left to be implemented by PM Oli that he has promised a number of times to the people. It is yet to be seen whether every kitchen gets connected to a gas line. The people are also anxiously waiting to see the reduction of current 85 hours weekly load shedding to zero hours within one year. They are yet to see the electric train running around on the Kathmandu streets. Rather than pulling his legs so soon, why do Prachanda and his party not help PM Oli to fulfil his promises? Let him visit China and sign more memorandums of understanding for the well-being of Nepal and its people.

Even after all the Nepal- India border points that were closed during Madhes unrest were opened almost three weeks ago and the unofficial trade blockade by India was also lifted at the same time, the common people are still found to be struggling to get a cylinder of cooking gas. Serpentine queues of vehicles and motorcycles are still seen in-front of petrol stations waiting to get limited amount of petrol and diesel. The weekly 85 hours of load-shedding is still there even after importing 80 MW of electricity from India. It is hoped that there is no indirect hint of the Indian government in reducing its annual grant to Nepal by 40 % (“India cuts annual grant to Nepal by 40 %”) 2 March Page 1) to express its dissatisfaction over the promulgation of the new constitution without addressing the political and constitutional issues of Madhes based parties.

Rai Biren Bangdel

Maharajgunj.

http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/printedition/news/2016-03-04/voice-of-the-people-20160304085728.html