The single issue that all major Nepali and English broadsheet dailies published form Kathmandu today have given the topmost priority on their front pages today is the announcement of unification between the CPN-UML and the CPN-Maoist Centre. Most of the newspapers have published banner headline stories claiming it was a significant movement in Nepal’s political history as no such powerful party was in existence before.
The newspapers have published multiple stories about the same event highlighting different aspects. Due to the excessive coverage of the event, other significant issues from political, sociocultural and economic life have not got much space on the front page today. However, there are few stories from other issues too.
Important
History’s most powerful communist party formed
Most of the newspapers claim that the Nepal Communist Party, formed after the unification between erstwhile CPN-UML and CPN-Maoist Centre, is the strongest political party in Nepal’s history owing to the strength it has in the legislature.
Annapurna Post says it is ‘a historic jump’ in Nepal’s political history. Naya Patrika, Kantipur and Nagarik say this party has become the most powerful political force in Nepal over past few decades. The Kathmandu Post and The Himalayan Times write the formation of new party heralded a new era in Nepal’s political history.
Annapurna Post and The Himalayan Times have published reports explaining how the parties came together. Annapurna Post even digs out developments since the formation of Nepal’s first communist party in late 1980s.
Meanwhile, the new party has put an underline in its name after it was found that a party with the identical name was already registered with the Election Commission, according to Rajdhani. The same newspaper reports that leaders and cadres of the new party celebrated the unification with candlelight vigils whereas two chairpersons, KP Sharma Oli and Pushpa Kamal Dahal, hosted a joint dinner at the PM’s residence in Baluwatar.
Other reports focus on what Oli and Dahal among other leaders spoke about during the announcement ceremony.
Ignored
Nepali Army’s chopper used in fuel supply
Nagarik claims that private helicopter operators are preparing to use a Nepali Army helicopter, which should be used during emergency situations, to supply fuel for them. The MI-17 chopper is flying to Humla to carry fuel for a private chopper. According to sources, the NA’s business-related motive and the official’s wish to earn few pennies through internal earning is the reason behind the fuel supply.
Not only other officials, but even the pilots earn Rs one to two million from one trip and few amounts go to the authorities’ earning, the report adds.
Motorcyclists need to pay Rs 200 more every year for pollution control
The government is planning to impose a ‘pollution tax’ on motorcycle and scooter riders from next fiscal year. The amount of Rs 200 per annum will be imposed on them, reports Karobar. The tax will be included in the registration or renewal of the vehicle that is done every year. The Department of Transport has sent the proposal to the Ministry of Finance through the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, according to the report.
According to the data at the Department, more than 2.4 million motorcycles have been registered till date.
Did Maoists have any role in promoting Christianity in Rolpa?
Many buildings have been constructed in the name of ‘Bhajan Mandali’ and ‘Lord’s Gospel’ in more than a dozen places in Rolpa. The authorities that used to keep records of temples do not have any information about such organisations. Needy, Dalits and indigenous communities have been converting into Christianity for the economic assistance they get and the authorities remain silent, according to the anchor story in Republica.
The report further says that the communists, mainly Maoists, as a strategy to make them religiously neutral and promote communism, forced this ‘religious neutralisation’ among people of Rolpa during the Maoist insurgency. It made it easier for people to leave one’s faith and embrace another.
