I will not resign, says PM Oli

 Kathmandu, Nov. 4

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli said on Wednesday that he would not resign from the post of the country’s top executive as it would invite a disaster.

“Do you think I should resign now? Would it be appropriate at this time? I am not asking this question for myself but for the country. My resignation means pushing the country into chaos,” he said while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the Manmohan Centre Annex at the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Maharajgunj.

He said that the government was formed as per the popular votes and support.

“I have repeatedly said that there would be no resignation but yet the rumourmongers continue to spread rumour that the Prime Minister is preparing to resign and later wonder why it did not happen,” said Prime Minister Oli. “If I go to meet the President, some media immediately publish news that the Prime Minister had gone there to resign from the post,” he added.

He said that Nepali people were capable of building their nation themselves. “I have seen many projects are being developed, work is in progress but there are some people who do not want any project to be completed in time because it makes the government popular. They are worried about the popularity of others and do not let people do their jobs,” Prime Minister Oli stated.

He said that there were some forces that always wanted instability in Nepal and were active in spreading rumours and topple the government. “So our fight is for the stability and stability is the precondition for the development and change,” he said.

Talking about the current scenario of pandemic in the country, Prime Minister Oli said that the country had made significant achievements in terms of health infrastructrure, institutions, experience and equipment. “This is the opportunity created by the COVID-19 pandemic. It has done many damages but our learning in terms of health and treatment has been enhanced. It has also reminded us that any unexpected crisis might happen anytime,” he remarked.

He assured that the government would provide equal opportunity to every Nepali to have the vaccine against coronavirus. “Now our main concern is access to the vaccine. There shouldn’t be a situation where strong and rich people get it while the poor fail to have it. Every citizen should have equal access to medicine and vaccine,” he said.

Responding to the criticism that the government had escaped from its responsibility of conducting free PCR tests of people, Prime Minister Oli said that there are many Nepalis who could pay Rs. 2,000 for their PCR test while free test facility would be made available to those who cannot pay.

“You have money in your bank account and in your pocket but wait for government support for your own treatment. This is not fair. Those who can afford the service should pay for it. There are categories of free treatment, government will implement it,” he said.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 5 November 2020.