By Our Correspondent
Tamghas, Jan. 24: Minister for Foreign Affairs and Standing Committee member of ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) Pradeep Kumar Gyawali said that the country was heading towards polls.
Stating that the election would be held on the scheduled dates, he urged all to not doubt about the elections.
Addressing a cadres’ conclave organised by NCP, Resunga Municipal Committee, Gulmi, Minister Gyawali said that the government would hold elections on the scheduled dates.
“There is no meaning of the protest at a time when the country is already headed towards elections,” said Gyawali.
He urged the agitating parties to quit the movement and get involved in the election process.
Stating that the government had to go for a new mandate as it was not allowed to work, Minister Gyawali said going for a fresh mandate was not an unconstitutional move.
The government had no other option to dissolving the parliament and going for a fresh mandate, Minister Gyawali said the uneasy situation in the party was due to the filing of an indictment against Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli by executive chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda.’
Meanwhile, Minister Gyawali praised the role played by the Association in the relief, rescue and treatment of Nepalis residing abroad during the pandemic and said that NRNA proved its mettle in this time of crisis.
Inaugurating a two-day Special General Convention of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) that kicked off virtually on Saturday, he also expressed happiness over the efforts being made to bring Nepali experts from abroad to Nepal.
Noting that the Constitution of Nepal had formally recognised non-resident Nepalis and had made arrangements to provide NRN citizenship, Gyawali shared that, as a part of its foreign policy, the government was focused on linking the knowledge and skills of Nepalis living abroad with Nepal’s development.
Minister Gyawali further called on the NRNA to shun politics and work together for the betterment of the country. “Since the Association is a purely social organisation, it should keep itself separate from political perspectives and work together,” he said.
Addressing the Special General Convention, central member of Nepali Congress Govinda Bhattarai stated that non-residential Nepalis had contributed immensely to the prosperity and development of the nation. “The sense of belonging shown by Nepalis living outside during times of crisis and calamity is truly commendable,” he said.
He also emphasised on the need to stay away from political fighting and move forward on the path of development. Saying that Nepal was a poor country, Bhattarai asked every Nepali staying abroad to bring investment into the country’s productive sector.
Also speaking at the event, NRNA Chief Patron and Former President Shesh Ghale suggested the general convention to discuss issues related to women, youth and the future of the Association. “We must promote NRNA as a common organisation and as a mini-United Nations,” he said, calling for the strengthening of the Association’s national committees.
Another Patron and Former President Jiba Lamichhane called it natural for any dynamic organisation to have disputes and disagreements. Similarly, he urged everyone to maintain the trust and credibility of the Association.
Former President Dev Man Hirachan recommended the general convention to discuss issues of statute amendment, establishment of NRN Foundation and other pertinent issues in depth.
The inauguration was presided over by NRNA Global President Kumar Pant, Vice-President Rabina Thapa and Secretary Hem Raj Sharma along with Founder Leader Ram Pratap Thapa, Immediate Past President Bhawan Bhatta and advisors Kul Acharya and Vice-Presidents Dr. Badri KC and Sonam Lama presented their views on the occasion.