Prachanda Warns Deuba Against Anti-Constitution Remarks, Criticizes Balen Shah Government

Kathmandu. Nepali Communist Party (NCP) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has warned former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba not to make statements outside the constitution. Addressing the unification meeting of the party's Bagmati Province Committee on Tuesday, Chairman Prachanda objected to Deuba's recent statement. Deuba, also the former president of the Nepali Congress, had expressed 'I am a Hindu' while concluding a gathering organized by the faction opposing the mainstream on Sunday. The gathering had also made decisions in favor of Hinduism, contrary to the spirit of the constitution. Pointing to Deuba's statement and the five-point decision of the Congress faction, Prachanda warned against anti-constitutional activities and statements, informed party leader Himal Sharma. Quoting Prachanda at the meeting, Sharma said, 'If you go right or left of the constitution, you will perish yourself and the country will fall into a disaster. Do not make decisions and statements contrary to the constitution you made yourself.' During the address, Chairman Prachanda accused the current government led by Balendra Shah of moving against the constitution, democracy, and the system, and appealed to the workers to be ready for street protests. He alleged that disorder and corruption have increased since the current government was formed, and voices are being suppressed by attacking the media. 'After the RSP government was formed, disorder increased a lot, we gave more privilege than necessary. Corruption increased, the media was silenced,' Prachanda said. 'We have to speak against this now, otherwise, the republic itself could be attacked. We will soon call for a protest, and everyone's cooperation is needed. You all be ready.' Meanwhile, Prachanda clarified that although the three-point agreement with the CPN (UML) has opened the door for cooperation between the communists, party unification is not possible as long as KP Sharma Oli's tendencies remain the same. He further said, 'The three-point agreement with the UML has opened the door for cooperation. However, unification will not happen as long as his (Oli's) tendencies do not change. We are in favor of long-term unification. There is no alternative but to implement the agreement for now, whether anyone likes it or not.' At the meeting, party co-chairman Madhav Kumar Nepal emphasized that the country is at a critical juncture, and all forces in favor of democracy and the republic must unite and move forward. He urged people not to be under the illusion that party unification will happen immediately due to the three-point agreement with the UML. Similarly, senior leader Narayan Kaji Shrestha said that the party should play a leading role for a grand communist unification including the UML. He urged all parties to positively facilitate cooperation, unification, and polarization among communists. At the meeting, Bagmati Province Coordinator Saral Sahayatri Poudel reported on the objective status of the party organization. He suggested that since the organization has become bulky and disorganized after the unification of various communist factions, a small and efficient organization should be formed through the upcoming convention.