Govt working under influence of middlemen, says Prachanda

By Our Correspondent,Biratnagar, Aug. 7: Former Prime Minister and CPN (Maoist Centre) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, has alleged that the government was working under the influence of middlemen and brokers.

Addressing a press meet at Biratnagar Airport on Monday evening, Prachanda criticised the government’s attempt to provide discounts on electricity tariffs, stating it would lead to a loss of billions of rupees for the state. 

He claimed that such actions were intended to serve the interests of brokers and middlemen, labelling the initiative as fundamentally flawed.

Former Prime Minister Prachanda emphasised that state revenue should not be exempted for anyone and highlighted that this issue had been raised seriously in both the Parliament and the Public Accounts Committee. 

“The government should not exempt state assets worth billions of rupees; the path that the government and the chairman of the Public Account Committee are trying to follow is wrong,” he added. “We stand strongly against that.”

He further alleged that the current government was established by middlemen and brokers and was now working to serve them. “But that cannot be accepted,” he said.

Prachanda also warned against any attempts by the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee to coerce decisions under the guise of the majority, deeming such actions unfortunate. 

He insisted that, according to parliamentary tradition, the chairmanship of the Account Committee should be assigned to the opposition and suggested that the CPN-Maoist Centre should head the committee.

Now Rishikesh Pokharel of the UML is heading the Public Account Committee of the House of Representatives. 

In a different context, Prachanda clarified that while the CPN (Maoist Centre) is not opposed to amending the constitution, any amendments should aim to protect achievements and grant more rights. 

He expressed concern that the current government might attempt to amend the constitution in a way that curtails rights.

Prachanda stressed that constitutional amendments cannot be made by just two parties or through the House of Representatives and the National Assembly alone. 

He called for a clearer articulation of what the ruling parties seek to amend and emphasised the need for a more inclusive electoral system ensuring people’s representation.

Regarding the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), Prachanda mentioned that a task force was formed during his tenure as Prime Minister to finalise the TRC. 

He noted that the consensus forged in the task force was expected to pass through the committee and be approved by the full House, expressing confidence that there would be no obstacles in the agreed matters.

Prachanda reached Biratnagar to participate in the party’s provincial committee meeting on Tuesday.