Deuba made the argument while addressing the journalism award distribution ceremony organized on the seventh anniversary of Suryabhakta Patanadevi Memorial College in Gaidakot, Nawalparasi. [break]
Speaking at the function, Deuba said, “We should follow the Supreme Court´s advice on resolving the deadlock and move ahead.” He said complying with the apex court´s verdict would help resolve the obstacles seen in the formation of new government.
A writ petition was filed at Supreme Court to stop the ongoing process to elect new prime minister after several rounds of voting in the parliament proved futile. Though the apex court did not give direct verdict as such, NC has maintained that the verdict suggested declaring Paudel as prime minister.
The parliament, even after 16 rounds of voting, has failed to elect a prime minister to succeed Madhav Kumar Nepal. NC´s parliamentary leader Paudel has been lone prime ministerial candidate after Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal withdrew his candidacy after the seventh round of voting.
The task of electing a new prime minister have been left in the lurch after the House session was prorogued following the Maoist assault against finance minister Surendra Pandey in the parliament before the budget session.
Speaking on the occasion, Deuba said it would be impossible to accomplish the goals of peace process and constitution drafting unless all political parties act in unison.
“The responsibilities are difficult. We can not accomplish them without forging unity among parties,” he said. He said after UNMIN leaves the country on January 15, 2011, political parties will have no other alternative than to move ahead in consensus.
He argued that Maoist should not retract from their commitment to accept pluralism. “They accepted democratic principles when they decided to join hands for the peace process," he argued. “Pluralism is the heart of democracy. Though Palungtar plenum stood negative toward pluralism, Maoist can not shy away from their commitment.”
Late Surya Bhakta Adhikari was a NC leader whose sons founded the journalism award with the help of Nepal Press Union, Nawalparasi, keeping the name of their mother attached to the award. This year, journalist Hari Bahadur Thapa bagged the prize that carries a purse of Rs 30,000.
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