Congress General Secretary Poudel Criticizes Forced Eviction of Squatter Settlements

Kathmandu. Nepali Congress General Secretary Pradip Poudel has commented that the removal of squatter settlements was done in haste, without providing adequate information and time. He stated that applying bulldozers without giving sufficient information and time was inhumane and impractical. 

General Secretary Poudel claimed that the propaganda that there were no squatters in the squatter settlements, only 'hukum-basi' (those who occupy by order), was false, and emphasized that they should be removed only after identifying the real squatters and preparing an option for their resettlement.

At a program organized in Kathmandu to congratulate and wish well to Sandeep Rana, the Congress candidate elected from Palpa Constituency No. 1, he reminded that the responsibilities of Congress MPs are even greater now. He said, "There is a government with nearly a two-thirds majority, which can forcibly push through some wrongdoings with the power of numbers. We must face it bravely and be able to explain it to the public. For that, I wish Sandeep ji a proactive, exemplary, and visible role."

He argued that it is wrong to restructure the Constitutional Council in a one-sided manner, as making it all-inclusive and balanced is a fundamental tenet of the state. He drew the government's attention to not disrupting democratic values and norms and the fundamental tenets of the state.

At the felicitation program organized by the Palpa-Kathmandu Contact Committee of the Nepali Congress, party's Palpa District President Himadatta Shrestha reminded that the main opposition party, Nepali Congress, needs to be even stronger and more agile to hold the government with a nearly two-thirds majority accountable. He argued that there is no justification for internal party disputes now, as the court and the Election Commission, which are constitutional bodies, have already resolved the party's disputes.

At the program, honored MP Rana expressed his gratitude to the elders who have contributed to the party for a long time for his election, stating that they played a big role in his election.