Positive Assurance

THE last two proceedings of the legislature parliament could not move ahead smoothly because of the protests by the Maoist and Madhesi legislators regarding their demands that had not been met by the government. It is indeed serious matter that the parliament proceedings were stalled, although in a democratic set up, everyone has the right to express his or her views regarding their grievances. But the necessity is to go through the right channel in seeing that their grievances or complaints receive the due attention of the concerned people. It has to be agreed that there are some outstanding political and other issues that call for the immediate attention of the government. It has also to be remembered that the government, too, is hard pressed with the incidents that are taking place in the country in recent days. The Maoists have their own set of demands, including the immediate declaration of the constituent assembly election date, while the Madhesi legislators have raised their own issues which they want to be resolved as soon as possible. These are perplexing times, and there is all the need for the government to act fast by reviewing the situation and come up with appropriate solutions.

In this connection, Speaker Subash Chandra Nemwang met Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala Friday and apprised him of the related problems so that the stalled parliament proceedings could come back to normal. According to Speaker Nemwang, Prime Minister Koirala was positive towards taking up the issues raised by the CPN-Maoist and the Madhesi MPs in the legislature parliament and bringing them to a conclusion soon. This comes as welcome news in that the problems would be resolved before the next meeting of the legislature parliament scheduled for April 23. That Prime Minister Koirala is keenly concerned about resolving the problems is clear from the assurances that he provided. However, it is the responsibility of all the eight political parties in the government to discuss the problems and arrive at appropriate conclusions within a day or two. With everyone taking the issues seriously and urgently, the problems can be resolved. One thing that has to be remembered is that the blame game among those represented in the interim government must stop as they are a part of the government that has the responsibility to make the path smooth for the CA polls.

Source: The Rising Nepal, April 22, 2007