NC ready to contest in election: Leader Dr Koirala

Kathmandu, Dec 23: Nepali Congress (NC) leader Dr Shekhar Koirala said that Nepali Congress is ready to contest in the upcoming March 5 election, provided there is a guarantee of peace and security.

The leader articulated readiness of the country's oldest democratic party for the impending House of Representatives' election at a programme organized here on Tuesday to mark the 102nd birth anniversary of NC leader Krishna Prasad Bhattarai (Popularly known as Kisunji in the political sphere).

Stating that over 5000 prisoners were currently walking free outside the prison and more than 500 weapons of police have been looted, leader Koirala cautioned that no one has right to win the election by rigging.

He was referring to the untoward turn of the events that unfolded during and in the wake of the Gen-Z revolt on last September 8 and 9. During the unrest, widespread prison-breaks were reported while police stations across the country were set on fire and weapons were looted.

The leader saw the urgency to boost the morale of the police.

Speaking in the similar vein, he attributed the untoward situation on September 8 and 9 to the weak nationalism. He, thus, asserted that the political stability should be the major priority at present.

He said that his core agendas -good-governance and curbing corruption- aligned with the aspirations of the Gen-Z generation.

Stating that the country is in a difficult situation at the moment, Koirala observed that the need of the hour is to conduct the impending election and usher country on the path of development and prosperity.

He hinted at the possibility of the delay in holding NC's national congress, citing that the party's central working committee's decision came late and thereby causing a delay in sending the active membership forms to villages across the country.

On a different note, Dr Koirala underscored more research and study into NC's founding leaders such as BP Koirala, Ganeshman Singh, Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, Subarna Shumsher Rana, among others.

He pledged utmost support and cooperation from his side for the same.

Also speaking in the programme, constitution expert Prof Dr Bipin Adhikari recalled that Krishna Prasad Bhattarai was a fellow to BP Koirala as well as a democratic leader, writer and a politician of principles.

He commended Kisunji as a visionary leader.

Likewise, Spiritual leader Swami Ananda Arun hailed austerity of Kisunji and said he was a simple and idealistic personality who, despite being such a great personality, had conceded defeats for thrice in the election.

Santa Neta Krishna Prasad Bhattarai Kendra Chairperson Lokesh Dhakal voiced his concern that the Nepali Congress has not been able to give Kisunji, a leader with integrity, high morality, values and ideals, his due.

On a different note, he suggested that the NC should run for the election by changing its leadership and policies.

On the occasion, 'Kisunji Preranadayi Prasanga', a book jointly penned by Rabindra Uprety and his spouse Deva Upadhyay, was unveiled.