Quote Unquote (Spotlight Weekly)

“The expansion of the cabinet was put on hold following the parleys between the King and the political parties. We have has kept our door open for political parties to participate in the government.”

Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa, addressing a national workshop of nominated representatives of local bodies.

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“This government has shooed the Maoists back to jungle. This government has encouraged students to raise pro-republican slogans in the streets. And this government is now trying to push the political parties to follow the students.”

Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli, a member of the Standing Committee of the Unified Marxist Leninist (UML), at a talk program ‘Bahas’ in Nepal Television.

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“It is a fact that the government has defeated Maoists. They have not been able to launch any major attack in the last couple of months.”

Dr. Prakash Chandra Lohani, finance minister, at a talk program ‘Bahas’ in Nepal Television.

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“This government has become an unnecessary burden on the nation and the monarchy. I urge Prime Minister to step down immediately.”

Pashupati SJB Rana, president of Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), asking for the resignation of the Prime Minister, in Rajdhani.

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“I found the King quite positive to resolve the political problems.”

Taranath Ranabhat, speaker of the House of Representatives, after meeting with the King.

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“There is still time to restore the House of Representatives. Besides, its life could also be prolonged by one year.”

Gopal Man Shrestha, central member of the Nepali Congress (Democratic), whose president Sher Bahadur Deuba had dissolved the House one and a half year ago, in Kantipur.

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“The political parties do not have an agenda to organize agitation. That is why they compel the government to interfere in their protest programs by engaging in violence. Later, they take this government behavior as a ruse to further intensify their agitation.”

Kamal Thapa, spokesperson of the government and the Minister for Information and Communication, speaking at an interaction program.

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“I have gone to countries like the United States and the United Kingdom. I have studied there and I have also taught there. Agitations and protests take place in those democratic countries as well. They demonstrate in civilized and peaceful manner. Nowhere did I find the protestors engaged in vandalism. Out here the protestors vandalize and destroy public properties and vehicles, which can never be called a democratic behavior.”

Dr. Taranath Sharma, senior litterateur, expressing grave concern over the violent protests and sloganeering against the monarchy, in Gorkhapatra.

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