“W hen a revolutionary party has become a revisionist one, they will also change their economic policies.”
Finance Minister Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat, addressing a program organized by Nepal Overseas Traders Association, claiming that economic reform programs won’t be stopped come what may.
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“T he Maoists want to build an inclusive economy where all the stakeholders' interest will be considered."
Prof. Dr. Maheshwor Man Shrestha, an economic advisor to the Maoists, accusing the "feudal economic policies" for ruining the country's economic situation, at a program.
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“R epublicanism is the identity of the Maoists. Autonomous regions will be the characteristics of new Nepal .”
Prachanda , chairman of the Maoists, speaking at a public function.
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“W e have an open mind on it (treaty review).”
Shiv Shankar Menon , Indian Foreign Secretary, when asked if India was willing to review the 1950 Treaty, in The Himalayan Times.
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“T he United States does not oppose the Maoists participating in Nepalese politics as a legitimate, peaceful political party, but it is crucial for the long-term well-being of Nepal that the Maoists give up their arms and end their extortion. That has not yet happened. We intend to hold the Maoists to that standard.”
Nicholas Burns , US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, delivering a speech on the US policy for South Asia at the Asia Society in New York .
* * *
“I t is the need of the hour that there should be unified and organized force.”
Surya Bahadur Thapa , former prime minister and president of Rastriya Janashakti Party (RJP), saying that unity among like-minded political forces was necessary.
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“W e were not afraid when we were labeled as terrorist when we engaged in People’s War. And now we will not be afraid if we are labeled rightist when we have laid down our arms.”
Chandra Prakash Gajurel aka Gaurav, a senior Maoist leader, who was recently freed from a prison in India, addressing a public function in Kathmandu .
* * *
Transition:
SELECTED : A new national anthem, by the National Anthem Selection Taskforce. The selected national anthem is written by Pradeep Kumar Rai who uses the pen name of Byakul Maila from among 1272 poems and songs sent by people from across the country. The selected national anthem will now have to be endorsed by the cabinet.
RELEASED: Mohan Baidya aka Kiran and Chandra Prakash Gajurel aka Gaurav, two senior Maoist leaders, from jail in Jalpaiguri in the West Bengal state of India .
RETURNED: Shiv Shankar Menon , Indian Foreign Secretary, after completing his three-day visit to Nepal .
ATTACKED: Kedar Prasad Giri , a senior judge at the Supreme Court, by a miscreant.
MERGED : Prajatantrik Party Nepal led by Keshar Bahadur Bista into the Rastriya Janashakti Party led by Surya Bahadur Thapa.
CHALLENGED : The new Citizenship Act 2006, by an advocate Amita Shrestha who has filed the writ petition stating that the act is against the 1990 Constitution. The advocate has argued in her writ that the Act does not have the power to rescind Article 8, 9 and 10 of the 1990 Constitution.
