“Yesterday´s demonstration was just a rehearsal. Once the UML launches real protests, the government will be removed in no time," Khanal said at a function organized by the party´s youth wing in Kathmandu on Saturday. [break]
Accusing Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai and the ruling coalition of working against the interest of the country, Khanal said the current government has been creating one after another problem.
He said that the government was running out of money required to run day-to-day administration as the government had introduced only one-third budget through ordinance in mid-July.
"Shortly, the government will have no money to pay civil servants and security personnel and provide rations to inmates," Khanal explained.
"The government can´t introduce new budget through ordinance yet again." According to him, in such a situation, consensus among the major political parties would be the only option.
Meanwhile our correspondent from Tanahu reported that former Finance Minister Surendra Pandey claimed that the UML protests launched from Friday would conclude only after ousting the prime minister. "This is only a spark and it will take no time to spread like wildfire," Pandey told reporters in the district.
UML politburo member Pandey, who has a soft corner for UML dissidents, claimed that those who quit the party on Thursday would return to the party sooner or later.
"Those who had earlier joined the UCPN (Maoist) have now regretted their decision. They now want to return to UML. Also, the friends who have recently quit the party will also return to the party soon," claimed UML politburo member Pandey.
Protests will topple Bhattarai-led govt: Gautam
Meanwhile CPN-UML Vice-chairman Bamdev Gautam speaking to media persons at Damauli on Saturday said, "The UML´s nation-wide protests that started Friday will exert pressure for the formation of a national consensus government."
He said his party launched the protests as Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai was involved in anti-national activities and that the protests would topple the Bhattarai-led government.
Gautam held both the prime minister and the president responsible for the ongoing political stalemate. "While the prime minister is a caretaker one, there is a president who does nothing," he said.
He labeled the ruling coalition as irresponsible forces. He claimed that while the UCPN (Maoist) wants to push the country into anarchy and the Madhesi parties want to disintegrate the country.
In a separate context, Gautam said that any activities intended to discriminate against ethnic communities is bahunbaad [Brahmanism]. "Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Ashok Rai are promoting bahunbaad," he said.
He compared the desertion of UML leaders and cadres from the party as dry leaves falling from a tree during a windstorm.
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