Kathmandu, May 18
Minister for Information and Communications, Sher Dhan Rai, has accused the Federal Alliance, spearheading a series of protests to make the KP Oli government address its demands, of plotting to push the country into a civil war.
Rai, who is also government Spokesperson, said the alliance’s Kathmandu-centric movement is an exercise in futility.
Speaking at a programme that Reporters’ Club had organised, Rai said people did not take part in the alliance’s movement because it was unnecessary. The government did not feel any kind of pressure from the movement, he said, adding that agitators will return to the talks table, exhausted.
He said: They (Federal Alliance) say they came to Kathmanu to put pressure (on the government) realising that their earlier movement, which included shutting border points, was futile. This kind of movement (Capital-centric movement) may not exert pressure on the government.
Rai said: The government has already felt the pressure. That is why it made a written appeal for formation of a political committee and invited the parties behind the movement for talks. The stir has raised questions on national independence and shaken the foundations of self-pride, he said, adding that the government will not bow to the forces behind the movement.
The new constitution has not discriminated against anyone, Minister Rai said, warning that the government will make public the alliance’s 26-point charter of demands, relevant constitutional provisions and efforts the government has made to address the alliance’s concerns.
He described the alliance’s demand for rewriting the constitution (promulgated through a popularly-elected Constituent Assembly) as very dangerous. This is an affront to the people, he said and added that addressing this demand is impossible.
Rai said: By blocking the implementation of the constitution, forces behind the movement are plotting to push the country into a civil war. The government will not let this happen.
