KATHMANDU: CPN-UML leader Pradeep Kumar Gyawali has said that major national issues are being pushed to the sidelines as leading political parties remain preoccupied with their internal disputes.
Expressing his views through social media, Gyawali noted that democratic parties such as the CPN-UML and the Nepali Congress are currently grappling with internal challenges and differences.
He said differing views on policy, decisions, organizational matters, working style and leadership are natural in democratic parties, but stressed that such disagreements should be resolved through established institutional and procedural mechanisms.
Gyawali argued that while political parties are focused on internal debates, the country is facing serious geopolitical and economic challenges. He pointed to the suspension of tea exports at border points, which he said has affected thousands of workers and hundreds of entrepreneurs.
He also highlighted the difficulties faced by landless settlers and people living in unmanaged settlements, the continued shortage of chemical fertilizers during the paddy plantation season, and rising inflation as pressing concerns requiring immediate attention.
Taking a swipe at the government, Gyawali claimed that the Prime Minister has been “passing time joking around” while serious national issues remain unaddressed. He further alleged that government officials have been intimidating businesspeople and that the working population is facing increasing injustice while the government remains self-absorbed.
The UML leader also expressed concern over what he described as growing anti-democratic tendencies, including the disrespect of the presidential institution, the weakening of Parliament, disregard for voters, shrinking democratic freedoms, interference in constitutional bodies, and political retaliation.
Emphasizing the need for greater political responsibility, Gyawali urged parties to prioritize national concerns and issues of public interest over their internal agendas. According to him, citizens are far more concerned about solutions to the country’s current challenges than about disputes within political parties.
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