No rationale for change of Deuba-led government: Khadka

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Apr. 19: "Some people are trying to destabilise the present government," Home and Local Development Minister Khum Bahadur Khadka said today.

Khadka, who is a central member of the ruling Nepali Congress party, said he did not see any rationale for a change in the Sher Bahadur Deuba-led government.

"I had raised this issue with the party president who also thinks it is not necessary to alter the government. So, the talk about leadership changes is just a rumour."

Calling for support for the government, Khadka said it would not be in the interest of the people and the nation to seek a change of guards at a time when the country is in a crisis.

The Minister said he was confident that the government would defeat the Maoist terrorists by mobilising its security apparatus.

"The overall security situation is not as good as desired at the moment. Maoists are still terrorising and murdering people."

Minister Khadka said that the government was making the necessary arrangements to foil the bandh called by the Maoists.

He appealed to all citizens, political parties and organisations to support the government in its efforts.

Minister Khadka said dialogue with the Maoists was not possible until they handed in their weapons. "The government has not received any offer for talks from the Maoists."

Referring to the remarks made by the Inspector General of Police at the State Affairs Committee, Khadka said, "If what appeared in the newspapers is true, the comments are unjust. The government is capable of ensuring law and order, not only in the capital, but throughout the country, and is committed to do so."

He said: "The Home Minister knows about the law and order situation in the country. The tradition is that the units under the Home Ministry have to report to me, but I have not been informed as yet that the police cannot provide security to the people.

"If anyone holding a position of power thinks they cannot work as expected, they should quit the job; sticking to a post like that is betraying the people and the country."

To a query about the absence of communication between the party president and the Prime Minister, he said that was not the case. But he agreed that they had differences over some issues.

The Nepali Congress cadres wanted unity and an end to the differences within the party, he said. "For this, the president will have to take the initiative."

"The president should appoint competent and experienced leaders to the central, disciplinary and parliamentary committees and to the party departments, regardless of their leanings."

If the president respected the feelings of the activists, the Prime Minister should also run the government as per the instructions of the party, Khadka said.

He claimed that 99.9 per cent of the party’s differences would end if the party president was ready.

"Most problems will be solved if Kishunji and Girijababu speak sincerely in one voice. The policy of balance and reconciliation can end the intra-party disputes."

Khadka asked the president to withdraw the unjust dismissal of incumbent Minister of Information and Communications Jaya Prakash Prasad Gupta.

"I am confident that the president will respect the unanimous views of the present cabinet ministers and party rank and file to withdraw the dismissal."

Minister Khadka was speaking at the Reporter’s Club.

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