Oli takes a dig at Deuba, Dahal

Published On: May 24, 2017 05:00 AM NPT By: Republica  | @RepublicaNepal


-Increasing local units an example of gerrymandering  
-Withdrawing cases against those allegedly involved in lynching of security personnel feed culture of impunity 
-Chief Justice an honest, dutiful civil servant,  impeachment motion should be withdrawn without further delays  
-UML will contest in prime ministerial elections 
-Nepali Congress only cares about power 

KATHMANDU, May 24: The CPN-UML on Tuesday objected to the government's decision to increase the number of local units in the tarai as violation of elections code of conduct.
 
The response from the main opposition party comes a day after the government decided to increase 22 local units in the tarai plains in order "to bring the agitating Madhes-based parties on board of local elections."

UML claims that the decision to add local units should be seen as an "example of gerrymandering".

"It is important to note that the ruling coalition before initiating the local-level restructuring work had protested against our party's proposal to include Biratnagar, Birgunj, Butwal and Janakpur in the list of metropolitan cities," UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli has said in a statement issued on Tuesday. 

During a press meet, Oli said that the timing of the decision had raised serious questions about the intentions of the government.

"What was the motive behind increasing the number of local units now? It's clear enough that the decision is guided by ill-intention. This has also raised uncertainty over the elections taking place on the scheduled date," said Oli. 

Oli claimed that the decision to withdraw cases against the accused was also guided by a similar ill-intention. He also alleged that the government was treating the victims of violence as criminals and vice versa for petty political gains. 

"Giving amnesty and withdrawing a case are two different things. What kind of message is the government trying to convey by withdrawing the cases? Is it trying to say that the one year old died due to his own mistake -- was it his mistake that he was playing at his home when he was shot?  Is it trying to say that the security official died because of his own mistake -- that they [security personnel] shouldn't have been present there?" questioned Oli. 

Oli also expressed surprise over delays in withdrawing the impeachment motion registered against Chief Justice Sushila Karki. The opposition leader claimed that an honest public servant was becoming victim of the ruling parties' malice. 

Oli, who described his party's performance in the first phase of the local elections as largely satisfactory, left no stone unturned to attack Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba.  

 "All he (Deuba) and Nepali Congress care about is power. He was wandering in the streets of the United Kingdom when the people were fighting for the restoration of democracy. He split Nepali Congress into two pieces. He was behind the royal coup and all the bad things that happened to this country," said Oli, questioning Deuba's commitment toward democracy and the rule of law.

Despite expressing reservations over other issues, Oli said he was on the same page as the other parties over budget announcement. 

"We support timely budget. But the government should not unveil any new plan and policy targeting the elections," said Oli.
 
In a separate context, Oli said that the main opposition party would contest in the prime ministerial race once Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal resigns. 

"The government is not our priority right now. Our priority is the local elections. But we will participate in the prime ministerial race," said Oli. 


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