Kathmandu, July 28. Home Minister Bal Krishna Khand has congratulated newly- appointed Chief of Gandaki Province, Prithviman Gurung.

The Home Minister met Gurung this morning and wished him a successful term. A meeting of the Council Ministers on Tuesday recommended the names of Prithviman Gurung and Amik Sherchan as the Chiefs of the Gandaki and Lumbini Province respectively before the President.

Gurung who is credited for contributing to the country’s democratic movement significantly is the resident of Chitwan. RSS

DILMAYA DEVKOTA, KATHMANDU, May 26: The main opposition party Nepali Congress chief whip Bal Krishna Khand has said that the K P Sharma Oli-led government has spent its first 100 days in confusion and uncertainty.

“The government has failed to give proper mechanisms to the local and provincial governments even after 100 days at office, which has affected the smooth functioning of the local and provincial administrations,” said Khand in an interview with Reporters’ Club Nepal’s President Rishi Dhamala on Saturday.

“When Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in his visit to Nepal, Bharatiya Janata Party lawmaker Kirti Azad tweeted demanding ‘return’ of Janakpur into India. His remark was controversial and intended toward disintegrating nation. But the Oli government kept its mouth shut. They also humiliated the Nepal’s national flag during Modi’s civic reception in Janakpur. Oli could not speak against the acts intended to weaken the national pride,” he added.

“What could the government do? Nothing…Thus I say the government spent its first 100 day in total confusion,” he furthered.

Khand suggested that the government should hand over the power to local administrations and work according to the spirit of federalism and as per the mandate of people.

In a question if Nepali Congress could revive its strength, he said that they would make the party strong as desired by the cadres and people.

“Nepali Congress stands on the foundation of democracy. Nepali Congress is still in the hearts of people. Our party will always stand for democracy, rule of law, people’s rights and protection of constitution. The party will regain its integrity and transform into a strong party as desired by the cadres and people,” he said.

Khand also stressed for the need of support to the party president Sher Bahadur Dueba in order to find the lost strength in the party. “The party cadres should aware the party president about his weaknesses. Any role aimed at weakening the president will only affect the party itself. It is our responsibility to walk in the path that gives strength to the party,” he said.

-News by Dilmaya Devkota

KATHMANDU, Feb 25: Nepali Congress leader Bal Krishna Khand has backed Party President Sher Bahadur Deuba for the position of parliamentary party leader arguing that electing the same person for two different positions would help maintain power balance within the party.

“The party should elect President Deuba as the parliamentary party leader so as to maintain power balance within the party,” said the former minister while talking to Rishi Dhamala at a radio program Nepali Bahas.

“We should go for one man two posts system to balance power. Those who are against Deuba will not become successful,” he added.

NC President Deuba does not want to give up the position of parliamentary party leader given his strong command in the 63-member party.

On the contrary, Prakashman Singh, who belongs to Ramchandra Poudel-led faction, has laid claim for the position and is preparing to vie against Deuba.

Likewise, Shashank Koirala believes that Deuba should forward his name on the basis of consensus.

Nepali Congress Central Working Committee meeting is underway, which is expected to endorse the NC parliamentary party statute 2074.

The endorsement of the statute will also see the beginning of the process to elect the parliamentary party leader. The CWC is also expected to announce the date of PP leader election.

The party has to select the parliamentary party leader before first meeting of the House of Representatives and National Assembly scheduled for March 5.

CHITWAN, Jan 26: Nepali Congress leader Balkrishna Khand has said the Nepali Congress will stay in opposition in a government to be formed anew.

Speaking at a press meet organized by the Nepal Press Union, Chitwan chapter on Friday, he said the NC had officially no plan to join a new government.

“The party’s official stand is that it sits in the opposition and lends constructive support to a new government on basis of policies and programs to be brought by that leadership.”

He added that the party had no people’s verdict to form a new government as its seats to the federal parliament had gone down.

Khand was of the view that the CPN-UML and CPN (Maoist Center) who had an electoral alliance during the elections to the House of Representatives and State Assemblies would themselves determine who would be the future Prime Minister.

He took the time to insist on maintaining unity within the party by ending the culture of groupism to regain its position in the next election.

On a different note, he said intra-party disputes could grow in the party if the party leadership was changed at the present time. Instead it would be better to go with the provincial organization structure by changing the party’s current structure.

He claimed that the recent decisions made by the government as per the people’s wishes, and how they are responded by a new leadership was not the concern of the incumbent government. RSS

KATHMANDU, Jan 9: Nepali Congress leader and former Defense Minister Bal Krishna Khand has said that the government has already started making necessary preparation to fix temporary province capitals and appoint province chiefs.

Speaking at an interaction program organized by the Reporters’ Club Nepal on Tuesday, leader Khand said, “Appointment of province chiefs was delayed because earlier CPN-UML stated that it would not take oath from the governors the incumbent government appointed. But later, the UML told us that it was government’s duty.”

“It is also essential to fix temporary province capitals to administer office of oath and secrecy to the newly appointed province chiefs. We have also started necessary preparations for the same,” he added.

“Permanent province capitals can be later fixed by the province assemblies.”

Minister Khand further said that they have suggested Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba not to recommend any province chiefs from Nepali Congress leaders or cadres to avoid tensions in the futures.

“We have advised PM Deuba to choose popular and clean personalities. Preparations for the same are being carries out,” he said.

“The cabinet will soon appoint governors,” assured Khand.

He also said that delay in government formation process was not due to the Election Commission.”It is necessary to elect upper house first to complete the federal parliament. UML should understand this.

LALITPUR, Nov 20: Nepali Congress central committee member and election publicity coordinator, Bal Krishna Khand, has stressed the need of holding the elections to the House of Representatives and State Assemblies in a peaceful manner.

Addressing an election assembly organized by NC Election Publicity Chanpagaun Sub-Committee in Lalitpur on Monday, leader Khand claimed that the people would make NC the largest party in the elections and the next government would be formed under NC leadership.

The election publicity coordinator Khand blamed that the left alliance has wanted instability in the country, adding it was necessary to lead the next government by the NC for constitution implementation.

On the occasion, Khand welcomed central committee member of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, Kapil Thapa, to his party.

KATHMANDU, Nov 5: Nepali Congress election publicity committee coordinator Bal Krishna Khand has said that the party’s rebel candidates will be punished as per the party statute.

Speaking at an interaction program organized by the Reporters’ Club Nepal on Sunday, Khand warned the party rebel candidates either to withdraw candidacies or be ready to face action.

“The party does not need to take a further decision to punish the rebel candidates. As per the party statute, their general membership shall be automatically revoked,” he added.

He also warned that the party would turn tougher against those proposing and seconding the rebel candidates. Till date, over 50 per cent of such have withdrawn their candidates.

Khand further said that arrangements would be in place so that party top leaders could take part in mass meetings to be held in all seven provinces in view of the upcoming elections to the House of Representatives and Province Assemblies scheduled for November 26 and December 7 while middle-range leaders would be deputed to provinces and districts.

On the occasion, he also shared that mandatory participation of journalist in the publicity committee has been guaranteed for effective dissemination election–related news.

“Victory of democratic alliance is essential to unite all which is according to him is the need of hour,” he asserted.

CHITWAN, May 10: Nepali Congress leader and Defence Minister Bal Krishna Khand has said the Nepali Congress and the CPN (Maoist Centre) had to come together for the implementation of the constitution.

Talking to journalists at Bharatpur Airport today, he explained that the Nepali Congress and the CPN (Maoist Centre) had to enter into electoral alliance in some places for the upcoming local-level elections because the responsibility of enforcing the constitution promulgated under the Nepali Congress’ leadership has now also fallen on the Congress’ shoulders.

He stated that since the NC is a democratic party it has participated in the election collaborating with another democratic party.

Leader Khand added that the future electoral alliance would be struck only with the CPN (Maoist Centre) as per the need of the time, urging the party cadres to follow the party’s decision even to save the party’s credibility although the decision might seem to be unpalatable.

He defended the electoral alliance with the Maoist Centre for managing the conflict seen at present in the country and for protecting the national unity by enforcing the constitution.

Defence Minister Khand insisted that the Army has been deployed in the election keeping in view the security of the election as it is an important security organ of the government. RSS