PM Oli resigns; says Insidious no-trust vote drives country toward chaos

Kathmandu / July 24: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has tendered resignation from the post before President Bidya Devi Bhandari on Sunday.

PM Oli informed this while responding to the no-confidence motion filed against him at the Legislature-Parliament meeting. Also, he informed the parliament that government had recommended the President to remove the constitutional difficulties.

The recommendation was made as per Article 305 of the constitution. Parliament meeting put off for 15 minutes

The parliament meeting has been postponed for 15 minutes after the PM informed the parliament about his resignation from the post.

Insidious no-trust vote drives country toward chaos : Oli

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has warned that the no-confidence motion registered against him in the Legislature-Parliament would leave the country in utter chaos. “It is natural and normal that no-trust vote is registered against me, but it is the effort to drive the country towards endless instability,” he said.

PM Oli made such remark while responding to the queries raised on him during the discussion on the no-trust vote at the parliament meeting on Sunday.

He denounced the no-trust vote, saying that it had come at a time when his government was making honest efforts for economic development, peace and prosperity in the country. He said he was sad to face the no-trust by the same political party that was together in the government.

“What kind of fruits is wanted by nipping the buds,” he wondered, adding, “What sort of government would be made by removing the government which is functioning at the most difficult juncture of history.”

He argued that his government witnessed very tough moments as the blockade, strained foreign relations and the people waiting relief.

The PM expressed doubt that the no-trust motion would protect sovereignty, national independence, propel economic development, provide international relations, implement constitution effectively and accelerate reconstruction activities by providing relief to the earthquake survivors.

Refuting the criticism of the lofty promises he made for development of the country during his tenure, the PM figuratively said that he was effortful to let conflict-torn country reach crescendo in terms of development and prosperity by resuscitating the fainted dreams of the country rather than selling the false promise of changing the face of country like those developed nations a Singapore and Switzerland.

Furthermore, PM Oli took the opportunity to clarify that he would not accept authoritarianism. “I don’t want to extend the tenure of my government in the strength of laws. I completely refute the accusation that I intend to extend this government,” said Oli, adding that he did not intend to be PM at this juncture of time rather he would work in the favor of public.

He was also quick to reaffirm his commitment towards federalism, secularism, inclusive proportional incorporated in the new constitution.

Expressing his worries over the future of the country, Oli specifically showed his concerns over the fate of mega projects and development initiatives pledged and undertaken during his leadership such as Bhairahawa airport, Kathmandu-Nijagadh Fast Track, Kerung-Kathmandu Railway Service, Hulaki Highway and the like. Oli also posed questions on the continuity of those various programmes and projects undertaken during his tenure.

He was of the viewpoint that the performance of the government he led was promising although it faced difficulties in providing relief aid to quake-survivors to which he reasoned various conditions imposed by donor agencies for expediting post-quake relief and reconstruction drive.

Comparing the fate of his government to the Manmohan Adhikari-led government that had gained popularity due to its various programmes and policies securing the welfare of working class public, landless squatters and elderly people, Oli said that he was removed through the misinterpretation of government.

Reminding the responsibility he shouldered firmly at a time when the Nepal-India relations reached a critical point and people faced hardship to manage a square of meal following the border blockade, he denounced the plot hatched by the coalition partner to topple his government, terming it a conspiracy against the incumbent government.

Such unfortunate incident befell the incumbent government when the country was gaining a pace towards development, implementation of the constitution and the speeding up of the post-quake reconstructions.

He also claimed that the incumbent government was incapacitated to by spreading rumours of change in the government. “I told that I would take action against some ministers failing to become accountable to the country. An attempt was made to topple the government from those within the coalition partners. I had urged for not breaking the coalition government formed with some specific aims in priority, but that could not happen.”

Saying that it would be a priority for the coalition partners and those supporting the incumbent government to seek consensus (if any) from the High-Level Political Committee formed to sort out any political differences, he said that he was unaware of the coalition partner dissatisfied with the government having held any consultation with the government before deciding to pull out of it.

Moreover, the PM said the government was pulled down just nine months after its formation- at a time when there are many tasks to be completed including constitution implementation and making of new laws.

It was natural in democracy for any government to be expelled at a certain point, he said, expressing disappointment that it was uncommon to change the government by pushing the country into utter disorder.

Stating that mutual trust and relations would only take the collaboration ahead, he argued that he on the behalf of the government implemented past agreements.

The PM took it positively that the political parties which were agitating for long showing dissatisfaction with the constitution came in the Parliament to cast vote. He mentioned that the government under his leadership had developed new faith and belief among the people; and made plans for the central, local and provincial level elections to within January 2018.

Despite its continuous efforts, he said, wondering, “Is there any basis to say the incumbent government has failed to implement constitution?”

PM argued that the talks with the agitating Madhes-based political party became failure as the agitating side rejected the talks continuously; and the opposition party played contradictory role.

According to him, his government improved the Nepal-India relations and conducted meetings of different bilateral committees. He also claimed that the foreign relations established by the incumbent government were historical. The government also signed transit agreement with neighbouring country, China, and established different contact mechanisms, the PM added.

“The government engaged in establishing equal relations with the neighbouring countries, saying although the countries are big and small on the basis of geographical territory and population, sovereignty is same,” he underscored.

Moreover, the outgoing PM said there are some complexities in peace process and it could be settled if no parties quit egotism. RSS