"The lasting peace and stability can be established if democratic forces emerge victorious in the election."
Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, addressing unification function of Nepal Trade Union Congress-Independent.
"We will capture the state power through the Constituent Assembly election."
Prachanda, Maoist chairman, addressing a program in the capital.
"This agreement will not weaken Nepal but strengthen the people of Madhes."
Mahatha Thakur, chief of Terai Madhes Loktantrik Party (TMLP), after the signing of eight-point agreement.
"This is only an initial phase in the struggle for Madhesi people. We will have to fight it out for every word and every phrase when they write new constitution through Constituent Assembly."
Rajendra Mahato, chief of Nepal Sadbhavana Party (NSP), at an interaction at Reporters' Club.
"I hope that the government fully implements the agreement so that Madhesi people do not have to come down to streets again."
Upendra Yadav, coordinator of Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF), after the signing of the eight-point agreement.
"I cannot speak anything beyond what is already written in party's election manifesto, which talks about democratic republic being the party's agenda for the coming election."
Sujata Koirala, Minister without portfolio and daughter of Prime Minister Koirala, responding to her position vis-à-vis monarchy, when speaking at an interaction at the Reporters' Club.
"The Election Commission has reached its elastic limit. It can no longer extend any election schedule."
Bhojraj Pokharel, chief election commissioner, talking to reporters after the EC extended two more days to allow Madhesi parties to file their candidacies for April election.
Transition:
RETURNED: Ronald K. Noble, the Secretary General of International Police Organization (INTERPOL), after completing his two-day visit to Nepal.
HONORED: Eight Nepali police officers for their "professionalism demonstrated in carrying out their law enforcement duties," by visiting secretary general of INTERPOL Ronald K. Noble. They include Inspector General of Police (IGP) Om Bikram Rana, AIGP Keshav Baral, SSP Upendra Kant Aryal, SP Devendra Subedi; DSP Sher Bahadur Basnet, sub-inspector Raju Sharma, assistant sub-inspector Chim Bahadur Tamang and constable Lila Gurung. They received letters of appreciation for recent successful operation regarding the swift arrest of India's kidney racket kingpin Dr. Amit Kumar – on whom INTERPOL had issued red corner notice.
APPOINTED: Sheel Kanta Sharma, Indian diplomat, as the Secretary General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Secretariat for the tenure of next three years. He succeeds Bhutanese diplomat Chenkyab Dorjee.
MERGED: Nepal Trade Union Congress with Democratic Trade Union Congress to form Nepal Trade Union Congress – Independent. Laxman Basnet is the chief of the unified trade union.
GUTTED: Over 1300 huts in Goldhap Refugee camp, when fire broke out in the settlement of over 10,000 Bhutanese refugees.
WON: Nepal won the position of first-runner up in the Plate championship of ICC Under 19 World Cup cricket held in Malaysia after losing to West Indies in the final match.
