Congress failed to play opposition role: Deuba-faction leader Mahat

Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat, a leader of the Deuba faction, has accused Nepali Congress of failing to effectively play the role of opposition party both inside and outside Parliament. Speaking to reporters at a hotel in Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, on Saturday, he said that when the opposition is weak, the ruling party makes arbitrary decisions and parliamentary democracy weakens. He said Congress has remained silent even when work is done contrary to the spirit of the constitution and democracy.

Mahat also accused those advocating a special convention of having moved away from the core principles of BP's ideas, nationalism, democracy and socialism. He claimed that some leaders and workers involved in the convention process carried out by Gagan Thapa, from the ward level upward, have begun to open up towards his group. He said leaders and workers are spontaneously taking part in district and ward-level gatherings at their own expense, even in adverse conditions.

Mahat said the 14th convention was held under the leadership of Sher Bahadur Deuba, so the 15th convention should be held and Deuba should himself hand over leadership. He said that under the name of a special convention, attempts are being made to disrupt the party, and leaders, local elected representatives and MPs have stood up in opposition to it.