KATHMANDU, July 12: The government has accused the main opposition Nepali Congress (NC) of abetting the outlawed Maoist outfit led by Netra Bikram Chand.
Speaking at the weekly media briefing on Thursday, information minister and government spokesman Gokul Baskota alleged that the main opposition party has been attempting to politicize the death of Chand's cadre, who he said was killed in an exchange of fire with police.
“The main opposition party should make its position clear on the ongoing violence in the country,” Baskota said hinting at the House obstruction by the opposition and the recent statements of the NC spokesperson. The opposition has been accusing the government of leading the country toward confrontation by ignoring the need for dialogue with the Chand-led outfit.
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“If the party views both forces -- one trying to stop violence and another carrying out violent activities -- with the same lens, then there is some fault with the vision,” said Baskota also questioning the NC's commitment to democracy, constitutional order and peace in the country.
Accusing the NC of attempting to push the country toward instability by speaking in favor of the Chand-led outfit, Baskota warned that the opposition was inviting trouble for itself.
Baskota also reiterated that the government will not form a parliamentary panel as demanded by the opposition to probe the killing of Chand's district leader Kumar Paudel, who according to the government was killed in an exchange of fire with the police.
Asked about whether the government has backtracked on its decision to host the Indian International Film Festival (IIFA) in Kathmandu Baskota, said that the government will support the event if the organizer agreed to Nepal's conditions.
“Nepal Tourism Board has sent a 16-point condition for the event. If the event could be beneficial for country I don't see any problem in hosting the IIFA,” said Baskota.
