Leftist alliance, need of the hour: Maoist Center Chair Dahal

CHITWAN, Oct 30: CPN (Maoist Center) Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal has argued that the leftist alliance was formed in response to the need of the hour for country and fellow citizens.

At a joint press conference organized by the Chitwan Chapters of Press Chautari Nepal and Press Center, leader Dahal further asserted that the leftist alliance was forged to usher the country towards prosperity.

Dahal, also the former Prime Minister, differentiated between the leftist alliances from the electoral alliance made between the political parties in the local level election held in various phases in the past.

According to him, the current leftist alliance featured unity among the political parties subscribing to the leftist ideologies for which the Party Unification Coordination Committee had been formed.

Clarifying that the CPN (MC) was still in dialogue with the Nepali Congress (NC), he stated that the collaboration between CPN (MC) and NC was still there.

Dahal was of the opinion that the leftist alliance had a bearing with the fact that there ought to be lesser number of political parties in the country.

Asked what were the bases for his prospective win in the upcoming election he was contesting from the Chitwan constituency no 3, he replied, “It is up to the people of Chitwan to elect me or make me concede defeat. Chitwan is my hometown. I am ready to assume the leadership by winning the confidence of the people here.”

Asked whether the horrific 2005 Badarmudhe incident happened when a passenger bus was caught up in a land mine set up by the then rebelling CPN (Maoist), leaving more than three dozen dead and many more injured would affect the election, Dahal said, “I have met the victims of the incident as well as the bereaved families. I have also asked for apology with the public immediately after the incident.”

Dahal added that he had provided the families of the victim utmost support from his party and the State.

He shared that the CPN (MC) had already taken action against the guilty in the incident.

As for selecting Ram Bahadur Thapa to contest the upcoming election from Chitwan constituency no 2, he said that it would be finalized after a discussion with CPN-UML Chairperson KP Oli on Monday evening.

Confirmed of his candidacy from Chitwan constituency no 3, Dahal urged voters not to doubt whether the elections would be held as preparations for so were going on in full swing and the Election Commission had already decided to use two ballot papers for the twin elections. RSS