Wrong to use army to speak on disputed issue PM Oli

19 May Kathmandu : Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said it was inappropriate to use army chief to speak on the disputed issue of the border. PM Oli said this today at the meeting of the National Assembly during the discussion on the government policy and programmes for the coming fiscal year.

In response to lawmakers’ query on Indian army chief’s remark on Nepal’s Lipulek, PM Oli said the government was clear and firm on its work and objective, so it was not necessary to make army chief respond to such remark.

The PM however admitted that it was delayed to hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi despite having consensus via diplomatic channel for the talks on bilateral issues from time to time. The talks will be finally held at the PM’s level after the discussion with subordinate layers. “Nepal is never under any country’s control, but an independent nation. We’re ready to fight, but do not cower before anyone. We shall retrieve our encroached land at any cost. We will achieve success in it. The government will bring back Nepali territory to its fold within coming three years,” he vowed.

Moreover, he reiterated that there was zero tolerance to corruption and he was not greedy for anything because he had already announced the handover of his personal property to the trust. The PM asserted that the thought- all those in government involve in corruption- is traditional. Instead, he accused that some businesspersons and media houses were making hue and cry over Nepal Army and tarnishing image of a robust pillar of the nation.

PM Oli expressed commitment to make quarantine well managed. At a time when the world itself was not prepared to face the crisis, Nepal too was similar its management. Although Nepal had to test its first case for coronavirus abroad, tens of thousands of tests have been conducted within the country now.

Earlier, NA members Anita Devkota, Jitendra Narayan Dev, Taradevi Bhatta, Prakash Panth, Ramesh Jung Rayamajhi, Mrigendrakumar Singh Yadav, Pramila Kumari and Komal Oli had sought further clarifications to the PM’s responses on the policy and programmes.