PM Prachanda resigns

Kathmandu, May 24

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda Wednesday tendered his resignation from his post.

“I have quit as per the gentleman’s agreement’ with the government coalition partner Nepali Congress,” said Prime Minister Prachanda, who replaced KP Sharma Oli-led government some nine months ago.

President Bidya Devi Bhandari approved his resignation today itself.

Prior to resigning from the post, PM Prachanda had addressed to the nation from his own office at Singh Durbar after main opposition threatened to disrupt the parliament.

In his address, he had highlighted the achievements of his government but he also tried to seize the moral ground high by passing the baton to the NC.

“I want to end the crisis of morality in politics, so I decided to step down as the PM in line with the agreement with the NC,” he said, adding that the Nepalese politics was replete with instances in which mutual agreements had been breached time and again.

Stating he assumed the post in the midst of various political, social, economic and diplomatic challenges, the PM said that progress had been made to implement the new constitution through the first phase of local polls.

He said that the preparations for the second phase of local elections in the remaining four provinces had been completed, and also expressed hope that the whole country would participate in it.

“With the successful holding of the first phase of local elections, democracy has practically reached the wards of every village and town. Winning and losing the poll is not important for me. I believe the country has won, and democracy with social justice, secularism and proportionate inclusive governance system has been institutionalised,” said Prachanda.

Stating that the economic indicators were positive, he claimed that reconstruction gained historic speed and implementation of large development projects picked up due to his continuous monitoring.

He said that Nepal had reached the level of its neighbours in terms of economic growth.

PM Prachanda emphasised the achievements made in the hydropower sector.

“I initiated the ‘Ujjyalo Nepal Campaign’ with an aim of ending the load-shedding. Khimti-Dhalkebar Transmission Project, which has been obstructed for many years, was implemented on the fast-track,” he said.

According to him, due to various policy reforms and projects implementation in the energy sector, not only load-shedding came to an end but also 200 megawatt electricity within a year, 600 mw in two years and 1200 mw in three years will be added to the national grid.

He expressed happiness while informing that country was heading towards an energy-exporting nation.

His government initiated Agricultural Super Zone each in seven provinces.

He presented the construction of Fast-Track road, Postal Highway in Terai and progress at Melamchi Water Supply Project as his achievements.

 “My government has started works to create mega cities in 14 locations including Palungtar, Lumbini, Dullu, Waling, Amargadhi, Pokhara, Dharan, Biratnagar and Kathmandu,” his statement read.

He also said that his government successfully organised Investment Summit that received investment pledges of Rs. 1.4 trillion which would help in expediting the process of industrialization.

Likewise, the PM stated that his government increased the insurance amount for workers working abroad, halved the passport fee, implemented provision of online application for ‘labour permit’, brought the Nepal Drug Company which was shut for almost eight years, and global tender had been called for petroleum exploration.

He also said that the government worked to balance the diplomatic relations with the two closest neighbours – India and China.