HEADLINE NEWS THE RISING NEPAL (DAILY)

Deuba vows to hold elections on time, seeks cooperation to end terror

RSS

KATHMANDU, Sept. 23: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has said that His Majesty's Government is determined to end terrorist and violent activities and hold the mid-term elections on the scheduled time.

Prime Minister Deuba made this remark in an interview given to RSS chairman and general manager Purusottam Dahal here today.

Deuba said there is no reason for the political parties to have any doubts about the holding of the mid-term elections in time.

His Majesty's Government is involved in mobilising all the security machinery in a planned manner by focusing its attention on the elections, Deuba said, expressing his determination to hold the elections in phases.

Prime Minister Deuba said that the security units were capable of identifying all possible obstacles rising during elections and resolving them.

It is the duty of everyone to safeguard the present constitution and the democratic system, Deuba said, adding that it was necessary for all the political parties and workers who have struggled and made sacrifices for democracy to remain more active at a time when the security forces have been sacrificing their lives for maintaining law and order in the country.

Deuba said that the Maoists should also understand that the forthcoming mid-term elections could serve as a safe landing for their political solution.

Apart from some exceptions, the security machinery has achieved big success in controlling violent activities, he said, adding that in the past one year, the Maoists have been isolated within and outside the country.

Full text of the interview of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba taken by National News Agency, RSS, chairman and general manager Purusottam Dahal.

The date for elections has come very close but the political parties are still not confident that elections will be held. As the head of the government, can you assure them?

The government is determined to hold elections on the scheduled date by putting an end to terror and violent activities. There is no reason that the political parties should not be assured of it. The government has been working to run all aspect of the security machinery in a systemic manner with elections at the focal centre. Elections will be held, no matter in a phase-wise manner. Our security bodies are capable of identifying and resolving all the obstruction that may come during elections.

The issue of law and order is associated with violence in the name of Maoist. Can elections be held with this violence continuing?

There are several examples where elections have been held with the challenges of violence. We are also working to manage the security bodies and equip them to identify and resolve the problem. However, cooperation of the citizens and activeness of political party workers is also essential for holding elections on time. It is the responsibility of everyone to safeguard the present constitution and democratic system. The security body is ready to sacrifice itself for restoring peace and more essential for this is an active campaign of the political parties and political workers who have struggled for democracy. It is essential for the Maoists to understand that the forthcoming elections could be an opportunity for a "safe landing" for a political resolution for them.

other security bodies mobilised since late November to stop violence are active but the series of violence is still continuing. Why?

Apart from some exceptions, the security machinery has achieved big success. On the other side, our neighbouring government of India has banned organisations and persons based on its territory unleasing terror in Nepal and has been extradited such persons. In this connection, the government of India has been giving proper attention to Nepal's request. All developed and donor countries like China, USA, United Kingdom, Germany, European Union and Japan have also been assisting Nepal against terrorism. In the past one year, the Maoists have been isolated both in domestic and international forum. Therefore, the pace of violence is not the same. It is gradually decreasing.

The political parties and the Maoists have been calling for dialogue to put an end to violence. Is the government ready for this?

I am also one of the persons who supports dialogue. It was me who initiated the talks despite of protest and non-cooperation from within the party. The entire nation was optimistic, but what happened then? It is universal what took place. No democratic head of government will be against talks and dialogue. It is adamant for those who understand this situation to publicise me to be against dialogue. The only thing is that any process held in this direction should be trustworthy, peaceful, sustainable, permanent and universally recognised. But for a permanent resolution of the problem, the Maoists have to resent the Nepali people a proof that they are serious and honest.

The Maoists have also been proposing an "all party round table conference" in order to stop violence and resolve political problems. Is His Majesty's Government ready to hold such a conference through its own initiative?

I said earlier, they have to present reliable proof.

Lets change the topic. You have registered a separate party. What was the reason to separate from the Nepali Congress led by Girija Prasad Koirala? Wasn't unity possible following decision of the Election Commission? Koirala himself had appealed for unity.
All friends have clarified many times the differences with Girija Prasad Koirala. With these differences still existing the Election Commission's decision or Koirala's statement for unity does not have any significance. As a result of which we decided to register a separate party-the Nepali Congress-Democratic.

What will be the electoral issue of your party then?

Our issues are clear. "Peace against Violence," "Stability and development against anarchy and disorder," "Equality against unequality and racial discrimination," ''Nationalism for unity and integrity,'' ''Efficient and corruption free society and administrative machinery."

Will you forge an alliance with other parties in the forthcoming elections?

There is no question that our party will not join hands with those willing to wipe out poverty, illiteracy and backwardness rampant in the country. We will go together with those wishing to bring the Dalits, nationalities and women with empowerment into the national mainstream. It is unquestionable not to work together with those willing to join the 'Mahayagya' for national development by restoring peace. Therefore, associating every Nepali, organisations, groups and parties willing to strengthen democracy, transform the socio-economic state of the coutnry has been one of the main agenda of discussion of our central committee.

Some parties have been proposing Article 127 of the constitution instead of holding elections on November 13. What is the view of His Majesty's Government on this?

I don't understand why they are looking for such an alternative. It is not necessary to think of this alternative if elections begin on the scheduled date and carried out in a phases. The government is determined to hold elections on November 13.

Your party and election symbol will be new. How will you begin the election campaign, what result do you expect?

Even with a new symbol, all our colleagues are old faces who have participated in the 30-year democratic movement. Majority of the colleagues who fought for democracy since the Rana regime to the Panchayat are with us. They are well known in villages, districts and throughout the nation. The party's name is also Nepali Congress. "Democratic" has been added in order to differentiate the party with the one led by Girija Prasad Koirala. Election symbol is just a symbol. Elections are fought on the basis of principles, ideology, values and norms and programmes. We are all self-confident and expect result accordingly.

Finally, do you have any message?

The time has come for all Nepalis to unite in order to protect democracy attained through long sacrifices, bring changes in the condition of the Dalit, backward, poor and illiterate by preserving the national unity established through leadership and to put an end to all anomalies, exploitation, social evils and injustice. Strong, healthy and politically well cultured leadership and organisation is necessary for it. For this, I call upon all struggling and conscious friends who have gone through hard times to join the Nepali Congress-Democratic. Let's head towards new possibilities and expectations of change against feudalism, individualism, barbaric and blind culture. This is my warm request.

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