Nepal’s opposition parties slam budget ordinance and CA elections

KATHMANDU:  Leaders of the main opposition parties have termed the government’s decision to bring the budget through ordinance as an ‘open violation’ of democratic norms and values.

They have accused the government of closing all the doors to talks and dialogues taking of late  to  forge a political agreement on national consensus government, budget issues and new election and intended at imposing autocratic rule in the country.   The announcement of new elections and bringing the budget through ordinance has obstructed the way for a consensus, they said.

Speaking at a programme organized by the CPN (UML) on behalf of the opposition parties here Tuesday, they said intention of the ruling coalition partners of imposing totalitarianism in the country would never be fulfilled.

Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala said unilateral decision of the incumbent government regarding the budget and new elections to the Constituent Assembly were in the violation of rule of law and the politics of consensus. He claimed that the budget prepared neglecting all the moral responsibilities would close all ways to a consensus.

There was no alternative for political parties to negotiations, consensus and unity, he said while adding that the performance of the incumbent government has fueled the political crisis currently facing the country.

Similarly, CPN (UML) Chairman Jhalanath Khanal said the government’s decision to bring the budget through ordinance and announcement of new election showed its ‘madness’ and urged the government to come to a consensus on the agendas of national interest at the earliest.

The budget prepared ignoring the past talks and discussions and the announcement of new election would not be acceptable for the party, he said.

Chairman of Rastriya Prajatantra Party Pashupati Shamser JB Rana accused the ruling partners of not becoming serious towards forging consensus on the national agendas and intending to rule arbitrarily.

He added that the budget ordinance and new election announced by the government undermining the voices of the opposition parties would not be acceptable for his party.

Likewise, Chairman of Rastriya Janashakti Party Surya Bahadur Thapa accused the government of announcing new election violating democratic norms and values.

CPN (ML) general secretary CP Mainali  and NC leader Dr Minendra Rijal condemned the government for its decisions of bringing the budget and holding new election without consultations with other political parties. RSS