Coalition formed to protect parliament: PM Deuba

Lumbini, May 7 (RSS): Prime Minister and Nepali Congress (NC) President Sher Bahadur Deuba underscored the need for the current coalition to protect federalism, republic and democracy for the long haul.    

Addressing the election assembly organized by the five-party coalition in Butwal today under the local-level election publicity programme, PM Deuba asserted that the current coalition was the need of the hour for the nation.    

Urging for one and all not to cast doubt over the future of the coalition, Deuba spoke of the need for all to ensure the win of candidates contesting May 13's local level election so as to retain the current coalition.    

Stating that the 14th national convention of NC had highlighted the need of the current coalition at present, Deuba shared that the 14th national convention had decided to go for a poll by further consolidating the coalition.    

He clarified that the current coalition was formed to prevent the further move of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli who dissolved the parliament twice after the opposition parties protested the performances of the Oli-led government.    

Deuba blamed former PM Oli for overlooking the constitution, he added, that does not include any provision that allows the indiscriminate dissolution of the parliament that was formed by the people's elected representatives for five years.    

He lamented, "The constitution does not allow the dissolution of the parliament on anyone's whims and fancies. The judiciary served the justice by reinstating the parliament but the parliament is not allowed to function."    

According to him, there was no possibility of any political party forming a single government at present. "Since no political parties have a majority in the parliament, the current coalition is needed,' he explained.    

On a different note, the PM pledged the federal government's support for the development of Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha. Touching on the recently endorsed US-grant assistance MCC, the PM said that it is an interest-free project.    

He assured of more American assistance to Nepal in the coming days in the wake of the endorsement of the MCC.    

According to him, if the projects under this grant assistance are carried out in a transparent and effective manner, Nepal would receive more foreign assistance from many countries including the USA in the coming days.    

Stated that MCC would be of the greatest benefit to the people in Lumbini Province since he argued, that a strong and wide road from Butwal to Deukhuri in Dang via Bhalubang will be materialized.    

He was of the confidence that the problems relating to the landless squatters and those unorganized settlers would be resolved as the National Land Commission, according to him, was actively working towards it.    

Deuba reiterated his government's ever-readiness for the overall development of Butwal and urged the locals to help elect coalition candidates to ensure the overall development of Butwal as well as to resolve issues relating to road and landless squatters among others.