Only UML can save democracy: Khanal

KATHMANDU, MAR 04 - CPN-UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal claimed that his party has maintained its position as the No 1 among the people and that the nation would prosper only by following its vision. “This gathering has shown that the UML remains top in the heart of the people regardless of the reason why it was ranked third in the Constituent Assembly elections,” said Khanal, addressing the party’s National Representatives’ Council assembly that kicked off at Khullamanch in the Capital on Sunday. He made the crowd laugh saying that the Khullamanch was getting smaller. “This is getting smaller.” Khanal further remarked that the other two big parties—UCPN (Maoist) and Nepali Congress (NC)—have failed protect democracy. He remarked that Maoists have the ego of being the largest party and Congress has the illusion of being the messiah of democracy. “But, in fact, democracy can only be saved by the CPN-UML,” he said. “If anyone has raised the flag high for democracy, it is the UML.” The UML chairman said that the government has resorted to forceful eviction of landless squatters instead of finding alternative solution to the problem. “The government has been treading on the path of authoritarian. This government is against the people,” said Khanal. He claimed that the government which cannot provide relief to the people has no right to remain at the helm even for minute. He claimed that the Madhesi parties have been staging drama by forgetting the issue of Madhes. He remarked that the Madhesi parties remain indifferent even when the people of Kanchapur could not use the water of Mahakali and during the transgression of Nepali territory at Susta. Saying that there is no situation to fight against India though, Khanal announced to act as defence cover when it comes to the issue of nationality. :ekantipur report