HEADLINE NEWS THE RISING NEPAL (DAILY)

Koirala calls for unity among democratic forces

BY OUR CORRESPONDENT

Biratnagar, Apr. 23: Prime Minister and President of the Nepali Congress Girija Prasad Koirala today called upon all democratic forces and get organized.

"Time has come for all those, who have faith in the Constitution, democracy and monarchy, to evaluate the present situation and get united," Premier Koirala said.

Talking to journalists at his residence, Koirala said that the country has now fallen in the vicious cycle of murder, violence and terrorism.

"At such a time, all the democrats must stand united against those scrooge for the security of the country and the people," he said.

He further said that the ongoing violence and terrorism is not the problem of the Nepali Congress alone "It is a national problem."

He said that he would solve the problem by taking support and cooperation from all. He also pointed out the need to mobilise the people against the murder and violence.

Indicating the opposition’s role on the violence perpetrated by the Maoists, he said it was unfortunate to take the problem lightly when police and innocent people are being killed.

"Now, we must move ahead according to the feelings of the people," he said.

He informed that the government has devised plans to deal with the politics of violence and murder in an effective manner. He said the integrated development programme was meant for that.

He also asked all the political parties and leaders to rise above the party politics.

He said that he is fully aware of his dual responsibilities towards the party and to the country, and said that he has always worked keeping in mind the welfare of the people and the country.

Referring to the street movement launched by the six opposition parties, including UML, he said they might be trying to organise their parties through the street protests.

"In democracy, the opposition parties can ask for the Prime Minister’s resignation but not by disrupting the parliament for months and through street protests. The process must be constitutional," he said.

He said the activities of the oppositions of trying to stop the Prime Minister from going to his office and creating obstructions to the parliamentary proceedings are unconstitutional activities. They do not indicate the opposition’s respect for democracy and multiparty democracy.

The Prime Minister said that he had told the opposition parties to stop their unconstitutional activities as that would not help solve the problem. "Rather they aggravate the problem," he said, and added that the street movement of the Left parties will be confined only to the streets.

Asked about the upcoming session of parliament, he assured that the parliament will run and it will pass the Bills.

Regarding the statement of the Chief Army Staff about the mobilization of army in the Maoist-affected areas, he said not all news reports that appear in the newspapers are true. "But I cannot say anything more now without talking to the Chief of the Army Staff," he said.

He also asked the journalists to think seriously about the people and the nation before moving their pens and to extend necessary support to the government.

Koirala returned to Kathmandu today.

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