KP Bhattarai's Statement

http://www.nepalnews.com/contents/2007/englishweekly/spotlight/sep/sep14/national1.php VOL. 27, NO. 5, September 14, 2007 (Bhadra 28 2064 B.S.)

The country is passing through an unprecedented crisis. Any such crisis will demand collective wisdom and dedication on the part of the people so that it does not sweep away everything that makes Nepal. Political parties, especially the Nepali Congress, have equally crucial role to play as the true representative of the people as well as the country. As a founding member of NC, I am proud to state that our party has always stood in favor of nationalism, independence and democracy against all odds right from the day it was founded.

Late BP Koirala, Ganesh Man Singh came back to Nepal from India in 1976 ending the 8-year-old exile with the call for national reconciliation. They were clear in their minds that a prolonged difference between the King and the democratic forces will weaken the Nepali nationalism, independence and democracy. Besides, it will also weaken great economic opportunities. Policy of National Reconciliation and spirit it represented is valid even today as it was before. I have no doubt that this will remain valid for quite some time to come.

Let us not destroy our history and legacy which generations together have built. Now it is high time to remember again that the monarchy truly acted as a unifying symbol of diverse religious, cultural, ethnic and political groups in a truly democratic set up. Nepal's transition needs a safe landing, which is possible only through unity and reconciliation.

Politics of hatred and denial dictated by undemocratic desires of rebels will only sow the seeds of disintegration of country and it is our responsibility to defeat those desires together.

Let us be guided by our lessons of the past and collective thoughts for future and not by anything else including republicanism.

September 9, 2007