CPN (UML) General Secretary Shankar Pokharel on Tuesday accused the government of ignoring opposition parties that contributed to establishing democracy in Nepal, saying government activities must fully follow the basic values and norms of democracy. He made the remarks at a press conference organized by Press Chautari Nepal Dang in Ghorahi.
Pokharel calls for democratic standards in government
Pokharel said the government must embrace democratic values and norms in carrying out its activities. His remarks placed the conduct of the government at the centre of his criticism, with the UML general secretary arguing that democratic principles should guide its work rather than be treated as secondary.
He also alleged that the government was overlooking opposition parties, including political forces that had made important contributions to establishing democracy in the country. His comments raised the question of how the role of opposition parties should be recognized in a democratic system, particularly when they are not part of the government.
Pokharel did not, in the remarks provided, identify particular government decisions or actions that he considered undemocratic. His criticism was framed broadly around the government’s approach to opposition parties and the need for its activities to reflect democratic standards.
Comments on public action on Falgun 21
The UML general secretary also said mistakes and weaknesses of old political parties had led the people to act on Falgun 21. He linked public action on that date to shortcomings by established political parties, acknowledging that those parties’ failures had consequences for how people responded.
The remarks placed criticism of the government alongside an acknowledgment of weaknesses within older political parties. Pokharel’s statement therefore addressed both the way the government treats its opponents and the record of political parties that have been part of the country’s established political landscape.
The summary of his comments does not specify what action people took on Falgun 21, or identify particular mistakes and weaknesses he had in mind. Pokharel’s point, as reported, was that shortcomings by old political parties were connected to the public response on that date.
Remarks delivered at press conference in Ghorahi
Pokharel spoke at a press conference organized by Press Chautari Nepal Dang in Ghorahi on Tuesday. The event provided the setting for his comments on democratic values, the treatment of opposition parties and the responsibility of established political forces.
His statements underline two themes: that government activities should adhere to democratic norms, and that opposition parties with a role in establishing democracy should not be ignored. He also acknowledged that failures by older parties had contributed to public action on Falgun 21.
The reported remarks did not include a response from the government or further details about the political developments surrounding Falgun 21. Pokharel’s comments were presented as his assessment of the government’s conduct and the record of established parties.
