Nobody can run away from party unification: Defence Minister Pokharel

Kathmandu –Defence Minister and CPN (UML) general secretary, Ishwar Pokharel has said that the UML and the CPN (Maoist Center) could not run away from unification of the two parties. 

Addressing a symposium titled 'Present National Situation and the Rights of Muslim Community' and a programme of felicitation of the elected people's representatives here today, he said there should not be any confusion about the unification of the two parties. 

The programme and symposium was organised by the Nepal Muslim Ittehad Organisation, a sister organisation of the UML. He said the party unification would be formally announced in the near future by sorting out all issues. 
"We are a political party based on the principle and organisational foundation of achieving excellence through peaceful multi-party competition. We should go for unification based on this footing. Where do you go after escaping unification," he said. 

The UML general secretary stated that the UML will easily accept whatever understanding is made on respectable deal and not on equal basis. 

He said the government would make necessary arrangement for public holiday on different festivals respecting the sentiments of the concerned religions and communities. 

The Defense Minister clarified that the government would make arrangement if any national activities or examination of Public Service Commission is held at the same time if public holiday is declared for the concerned community. 

He said that no other parties as compared to CPN (UML) have taken initiatives to organise Muslim communities and empower them. 

The Organisation has been raising voice not to slash the number of public holidays of the Muslim community and to establish their rights. 
---