KATHMANDU: Minister for Communications and Information Technology Jagdish Kharel has said that the all-party political dialogue convened by Prime Minister Sushila Karki on Tuesday helped create a conducive environment for the upcoming parliamentary elections.
It was the first time since the formation of the interim government that major political parties and the government held direct discussions aimed at ensuring an atmosphere conducive to free and fair elections and promoting good governance.
The five-hour meeting, held at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar, brought together representatives of seven major political parties. The discussions focused on preparations for the March 5 elections, as well as issues of corruption control and security management.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Minister Kharel, who also serves as the government spokesperson, said, “It was a very positive discussion with the political parties. Most of them expressed readiness for the election, which has encouraged the government to move forward with necessary preparations.”
He added that all key stakeholders, including political parties and the Gen-Z movement, had demonstrated responsibility toward building trust and stability. “Ministers and security agencies are working tirelessly to ensure that the election is held in a free and fair manner,” he said.
According to Kharel, the meeting also discussed the government’s ongoing efforts to maintain law and order, combat corruption, and investigate incidents of violence and property damage during the recent Gen-Z protests. “The country has returned to normalcy after a month of unrest, and political trust is being gradually restored,” he added.
The minister further informed that the Cabinet would be expanded immediately after the Tihar festival.
Leaders representing major parties attended the dialogue, including Gagan Kumar Thapa and Prakash Sharan Mahat from the Nepali Congress; Shankar Pokharel and Pradeep Gyawali from the CPN-UML; Barsha Man Pun and Pampha Bhusal from the CPN (Maoist Centre); Swarnim Wagle and Sobita Gautam from the Rastriya Swatantra Party; Rajendra Pandey and Prakash Jwala from the CPN (Unified Socialist); Rajendra Gurung and Mohan Shrestha from the Rastriya Prajatantra Party; and Upendra Yadav and Prakash Adhikari from the Janata Samajbadi Party.
From the government side, attendees included Prime Minister Karki, Finance Minister Rameshwor Khanal, Energy Minister Kulman Ghising, Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal, Agriculture Minister Dr Madan Pariyar, Communications Minister Kharel, and the Prime Minister’s Chief Advisor Ajay Bhadra Khanal.
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