Kathmandu, May 5: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has expressed the willingness to form a national unity government for which, he said, he was working prior to the formation of the present government.

Responding to queries from MPs about post-quake reconstruction in the country at the Legislature-Parliament today, he said national unity was also inevitable for speedy development to pull the country out of the cycle of poverty.

Prime Minister Oli, however, questioned why was the gentlemen agreement reached before promulgation of the new constitution not followed? And what is stopping national unity for implementation of constitution and post-quake reconstruction?

In his first address to the second session of the Legislature-Parliament, PM Oli urged all sides concerned to not forget the fundamentals of democracy while being guided by prejudices and instead work to secure the rights of the people.

Staying in the opposition but voicing for national unity?
Stating that a national unity government could not be formed at the foundation of conspiracies, he called for consensus on the basis of honesty. PM Oli said, “Attempts are being made to foil stability and peace in the country” and expressed the readiness to resolve the problems of disgruntled parties through dialogue.

“The new constitution was promulgated as per the aspiration of the people. It is the work of parliament to implementation it. What is the real fact behind toppling the government down? I urge the opposition parties to hold open discussion to resolve the problem.”

Government dissolution mere rumour
“People are watching the activities of their supreme representative body, parliament. I thank the parliamentarians for reminding me the country’s problems during the past two days’ discussion at the parliament,” the PM said, adding that there was no point in saying that constitution was brought in haste.

He ruled out the chances of the government change, saying the present government was built on parliamentarians’ votes and not designed somewhere else. “We need to resolve crisis from parliament. I became PM with the votes from parliamentarians. So, as long as the parliament exists, I exist as PM.”

‘Constitution will not be rewritten’
Prime Minister Oli urged to give complete shape to the high-level political committee to forge consensus on delineation of provincial boundaries. Noting that the formulation of concerned laws and formation of different constitutional commissions was necessary for the implementation of the fundamental rights, he said the first amendment to the constitution had established proportional and inclusive arrangements.

“There is no meaning to protest the constitution which was framed by 90 per cent of the people’s representatives and has granted freedom. No need to reiterate for redrafting of the constitution either”, he added.

The Prime Minister further said, “The right to reframe constitution was with the Constituent Assembly not with the transformed parliament. The parliament can only amend the constitution as per the need. So, let us not speak of rewriting the national charter.” “I would like to ask those who raise the issue — whether anyone could do this?”, the PM went on to say.

He informed that the high-level political committee was formed and recommendations for the appointment of justice, constitutional positions and ambassadors have been sent to the parliament during the period.

The government policy and programme along with the budget will be presented in the stated time.

Post-quake reconstruction underway
According to Prime Minister Oli, the foreign aid pledged by the donor agencies for reconstruction of quake-damaged structures had not been received yet.

Dismissing the notion that the incumbent government was lagging in reconstruction, Oli stated that the delay in formulation of laws related to reconstruction and appointment of the office-bearers in the high-powered National Reconstruction Authority would be attributed to the previous government.

He claimed that there were no case of misappropriation and irregularities on the reconstruction operation. “The government has already spearheaded the reconstruction of the quake-damaged national heritages and providing grant for reconstruction of the private houses,” Oli reaffirmed.

“The government aims to provide all the quake-survivors in the country whose house are rendered uninhabitable a safe shelter by mid-June and help build in reconstruction of their quake-damaged houses in two years,” he pledged.

As for Nepal’s equation with the immediate neighbors-India and China, PM Oli claimed that the severed ties with India had been cordial now and his China visit was incredibly successful. “If any issue arises in future, it will be dealt and resolved through diplomatic means.” RSS