Himal Press 
LUMBINI: CPN-UML Deputy General Secretary, Pradip Kumar Gyawali, has claimed that the bill introduced by the government to regulate social media will not stifle freedom of expression.
Speaking at a press meet in Butwal on Wednesday, Gyawali explained that the bill aims to regulate the anarchy occurring in the name of freedom on social media. He clarified that the bill is intended to control activities such as character assassination and spreading false information about someone being dead.
“The right to criticize and express oneself should not be hindered in any way. I will suggest to the party that provisions for regulation should be discussed with stakeholders before moving forward,” Gyawali said.
Gyawali also said that the current coalition government was formed for political stability. He added that the government has taken necessary decisions to regulate cooperatives, return funds to 14,000 depositors, and bring those involved in cooperative scams under legal scrutiny.
“The government has worked in the cooperatives without favoring anyone, and there is no political vendetta as claimed by the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP),” Gyawali said.
Responding to a question on former President Bidya Bhandari and Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun’s possible return to active politics, Gyawali said people do not wish to see individuals, who have reached the highest positions in the country, returning to active politics.
