Speaking at a function organized to mark the 86th birthday of former prime minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai President Yadav said, "I call on all, in the presence of Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, to resolve existing problems through non-violent means."
"Let all the parties move together and let the peace prevail. I wish that all the disputes are resolved through the Constituent Assembly (CA) and peace process," he added.
The president also lauded the contribution made by Bhattarai for the democracy movement in Nepal. "He dedicated all his life fighting for democracy," he said.
The president was also of the view that the 1990 constitution, promulgated when Bhattarai was the prime minister, could not succeed due to its ineffective implementation, despite the fact that it was one of the best.
For the last few years, two-time prime minister Bhattarai has been celebrating his birthdays at Osho Tapoban, five km north of Balaju in the capital.
Top political leaders including Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, CA chairman Subas Nembang, Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, NC Acting president Shusil Koirala and NC parliamentary party leader Ram Chandra Paudel, among other senior leaders, were present at the forest retreat center to extend greetings to the only living founding member of the Nepali Congress.
Decked in maroon gowns, Osho sanyasins had welcomed Bhattarai and carried him to the meditation hall.
Speaking at the function, PM Nepal said the inspiration from saint leader Bhattarai and the peaceful environment of Tapoban could inspire the Maoists to take a peaceful path. Bhattarai said even evil spirits can be transformed through spiritual rebirths, and they should come to Tapoban to transform themselves. The prime minister also appreciated Bhattarai´s role in tackling the political complexities after the fall of Panchayat oligarchy in 1990. He also informed that the government has decided to transform Bhattarai´s Ashram into a trust.
Likewise, Maoist Chairman Dahal said Bhattarai´s life was that of a "real democrat". He said Bhattarai´s loyalty to democracy and the country was unquestionable. Bhattarai said that he was happy that all the political heavyweights came to greet him on his birthday.
Widely seen as an NC maverick leader, Bhattarai became prime minister twice -- once heading the Interim Government between April 1990 to May 1991 and from May 1999 to March 2000. He was the officiating NC president for nearly 26 years.
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