“Restrictions on political activities under pretext of pandemic”

Published On: May 27, 2021 12:29 PM NPT By: Republica

KATHMANDU, May 27: The Nepali Congress (NC) has expressed concerns over the KP Oli-led government, accusing it of trying to ban all political activities under the pretext of the COVID-19 pandemic. A meeting of the office-bearers of the party took place at party President Sher Bahadur Deuba’s house in Budhanilkantha on Wednesday which stated that the government had spread panic among the citizens in the name of prohibitory orders.

The district administration offices of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Lalitpur have extended the prohibitory orders inside the valley from May 28 to June 4. According to assistant general secretary of NC, Prakash Sharan Mahat, the administration’s decision to close even the food shops, and order the civilians to purchase the essentials enough for a week within two days has spread fear among the people. “Concerns have started to rise over the government’s decision to create panic among the people in the name of the pandemic and its approach to controlling party activities to prove its political interest,” he said.

According to NC, instead of managing aid to the civilians who support themselves by working on a daily basis, the government has given them two days to gather food and groceries, which has created a state of panic among them. Mahat also accused the government of ignoring the party’s 15-point memorandum for the prevention and control of COVID-19. The party has decided to present the writ petition filed in the court demanding the restoration of the House of Representatives (HoR) in a systematic manner and the appointment of Sher Bahadur Deuba as prime minister in accordance with Article 76 (5) of the constitution. Also, the Congress has decided to focus itself on the supreme court as they don’t have the option of carrying out protests and demonstrations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Monday, as many as 146 lawmakers from opposition alliances including Congress, filed a writ petition in the Supreme court, claiming that President Bidya Devi Bhandari’s decision to dissolve the HoR at the recommendation of Prime Minister KP Oli was unconstitutional. The hearing on the writ petition is set to take place today.

Also, the NC has expressed concerns over President Bhandari’s decision to write a letter to her peers in India and call the president of China by telephone to request vaccines for COVID-19. One of the leaders of Congress said, “The people should know if the president of India did not want to be contacted by telephone or was it our president who did not want to call.” “Is it a coincidence or something else?” he asked.