Declaring republic is solely the right of people, says Dr. Mahat
In a clear indication that his party Nepali Congress (NC) may not agree with the Maoist demand for declaring republic through parliament, Finance Minister and central leader of NC Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat has said that the issue should be left for the people of Nepal to decide.
"If the interim parliament declares republic that will be tantamount to seizing the right of the people,' said Dr. Mahat, speaking at an interaction programme in the capital on Saturday.
He said that elected Constituent Assembly is the only legitimate body to make such important decision.
Dr. Mahat also hinted that the NC will not even agree to pass a commitment proposal in the parliament to go for republic. His remarks have come at a time when there is wide expectation that Mahasamiti meeting of NC to be held on September 23-24 will formally approve the policy of republic and clear the way for mentioning republic as the party's agenda in the election manifesto.
Meanwhile, Dr. Mahat has said that the government is not in a position to cut budget from social and development sector to provide subsidies to urban consumers on petroleum products.
He urged the Nepal Oil Corporation to adjust price based on international market situation. "The decision (to hike the price of fuel) is not for politicians to make. It should not even be made by cabinet," he said. Dr. Mahat informed that the government has already provided Rs 3 billion to the NOC in recent past. nepalnews.com sd Sep 22 07
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