SATV,12 March,Kathmandu: In a highly charged address to the House of Representatives, Pushpa Kamal Dahal "Prachanda," leader of the CPN-Maoist Center and the main opposition party, raised serious concerns regarding the government's recent actions, the growing monarchist movements, and the state of democracy in Nepal.
Prachanda began by paying tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the establishment of Nepal’s Federal Democratic Republic, warning against the rising threat of regression and counter-revolution. He expressed deep concern over the government's inaction, which, according to him, had led to widespread dissatisfaction and public unrest. Citing various social issues, he pointed out the increasing number of protests from diverse groups, including victims of microfinance schemes, cooperatives, community school teachers, and farmers, all joining the streets to express their frustration.
He criticized the government's failure to engage with the opposition and questioned whether it had lost its ability to communicate with the people. Prachanda also raised alarm about the monarchist movements gaining ground in the country. He noted that the monarchy, once a distant idea, now had growing support, with royalists not only marching on the streets but also occupying spaces within the parliament. He warned that such regressive movements could undermine the democratic republic that had been achieved through decades of struggle and sacrifice.
Furthermore, Prachanda emphasized the importance of protecting Nepal's republican history, which he described as original and generous. He rejected the idea of restoring the monarchy and stressed that the Nepali people would not accept returning to a system where they were subjects. The leader also expressed concern over the erosion of democratic values, pointing to the government’s recent actions, including questionable appointments and policies that seemed to favor middlemen.
He highlighted the frustration with the current government's style of governance, including the Prime Minister’s absence from the House during debates, and called for a serious self-examination within the ruling parties. Prachanda’s speech underscored the challenges posed not only by the regressive forces outside the government but also the growing distrust in the ruling parties' ability to govern.
The CPN-Maoist Center leader closed his statement by vowing to continue the fight for democracy, even if it meant challenging the current government. He urged the ruling parties to reflect on their actions and warned that the increasing public anger could lead to further unrest if not addressed. Prachanda affirmed his commitment to preserving Nepal's republic and democracy, standing firm against any forces seeking to reverse the progress made.
The speech marks a crucial moment in Nepal's ongoing political turmoil as Prachanda calls for accountability, dialogue, and introspection within the government, while simultaneously rallying the people to defend the hard-won democratic republic.
