KATHMANDU, Nov 16: The ruling CPN-UML has demanded an apology from former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal for his controversial remarks, in a recent interview with Indian media outlet The Hindu, accusing Prime Minister K P Oli of playing ‘India card’.
In a statement issued by the Chief of Foreign Affairs Department of the UML Raghubir Mahaseth on Saturday, the party condemned the remarks of Dahal, who is also the chairman of the main opposition party CPN (Maoist Center) and demanded him to retract his controversial remarks.
In his interview with The Hindu, Chairman Dahal had alleged that Prime Minister Oli, who is also chairman of the UML, was trying to play the ‘China Card’ by announcing his plan to visit China. The UML has termed the ‘China-card’ allegation as ‘petty political squabbling’. PM Oli has received an invitation from Chinese Premier Li Qiang to visit China from December 2 to 6.
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In the statement, the UML has dismissed the comments made by Dahal accusing PM Oli of ‘using the China card’ and the labeling of PM Oli’s decision to visit China as ‘proof of immaturity’ as baseless, irresponsible and deeply damaging to Nepal's sovereign image and independent foreign policy.
“These statements are a blatant breach of diplomatic protocol and show a complete disregard for Nepal's independence,” the statement read, “Nepal, as a sovereign nation, requires no external approval for its diplomatic engagements.”
Mahaseth further argued in the statement that PM Oli’s decision to visit China is a reflection of Nepal's independent foreign policy, not a gambit of ‘card diplomacy’ as alleged by former PM Dahal.
The UML’s statement accused Dahal of undermining the delicate balance of Nepal with India and China, through his ‘irresponsible commentary’. “Rather than engaging constructively in national discourse, Dahal has resorted to baseless accusations that undermine Nepal's sovereignty and national dignity,” the statement read, “His words reflect disdain for Nepal's sovereignty and an obsession with political maneuvering at the expense of the nation's dignity.”
Through the press release, the UML has also claimed that PM Oli has demonstrated strong leadership and statesmanship with his ‘balanced and pragmatic’ foreign policy approach that prioritizes Nepal's sovereignty and national interests while fostering mutual respect and cooperation with both the neighbors.
The UML reiterated its commitment to maintaining Nepal's relations with both neighbors and urged Dahal to retract his irresponsible statements and apologize to the people of Nepal.
