Himal Press 
Maoist Center Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal
KATHMANDU: CPN (Maoist Center) Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal has declared that he will no longer engage in the government’s power plays.
Speaking in the meeting of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, he urged the ruling coalition partners – Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML – to resolve their disputes without involving him. “I would like to tell my friends in NC and UML from this podium, I will no longer be involved in power games and will not seek a share in your government,” he added.
Dahal said although they might be politically weaker now due to limited public engagement, they will soon make up for it.
He also expressed anger over the ruling coalition’s decision not to grant the position of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Chairperson to the main opposition as has been the practice. “It’s not just about the PAC; you might as well keep the opposition leader’s position for yourselves,” he said.
Dahal also argued that Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, not the Managing Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) should be held accountable for the dispute surrounding the outstanding dues of electricity supplied by dedicated and trunk lines. “Isn’t it your responsibility to protect the NEA? Don’t you feel ashamed to join hands with the ‘mafias’?” Dahal questioned Oli. “I want to seek an explanation from the Prime Minister.”
Dahal also expressed concern over the transfer of police officers investigating the fake Bhutanese refugee scandal. He accused the government of trying to cover up the refugee scandal.
“The previous government was conducting successful investigations into the Bhutanese refugee case, Bansbari land scam, Bal Mandir land scam and several other scandals. But this government is trying to suppress the investigation against the fake Bhutanese refugee case,” Dahal added. “Instead of rewarding capable and brave police officers investigating the incident, you are transferring them. What message are you sending to the world?”
He also accused the government of arrogance and heading in the wrong direction. “After observing the government’s intent and direction for over a month and a half, I have concluded that the government is arrogant and moving in the wrong direction,” he claimed.
