Day at a Glance: From Preparation for signing BRI to Oli clarifying CPN (UML)’s politics

20th March Wednesday: The major events of the day have been compiled in this segment ‘Day at a Glance!’

The major Headlines of the day include:

• Preparation going to sign BRI implementation agreement
• NC: There is enough proof against Home Minister
• Minister Sharma insists on extending internet to remote settlements
• Dr. Bhattarai: Never thought of uniting with CPN(Maoist Centre)
• Speaker Ghimire and Chief Whips going to Switzerland
• Oli: Party would not do politics based on opportunities

1. Preparation going to sign BRI implementation agreement

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ -led government has prepared to sign the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) implementation agreement with the Chinese government as per a high-level source. Though PM Dahal had done his homework to implement the agreement with China, it has been kept a secret even from the member parties of the coalition and high administrators. According to a source, the draft for the agreement has been almost ready. PM Dahal, Minister of Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha, and Finance Minister Barshaman Pun are only aware of the draft. Minister Shrestha has prepared to sign the agreement for implementing the BRI in the upcoming week during his visit to China. Minister Shrestha is going for his first foreign visit after taking responsibility for the Foreign Ministry. He is going on a 5-day visit to China on coming Sunday.

2. NC: There is enough proof against Home Minister

The opposition party Nepali Congress (NC) has said there is sufficient evidence against Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane. NC said those statements after Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ replied there was no proof against Home Minister Lamichhane in the parliament meeting held on Tuesday. Addressing the parliament meeting on Wednesday, Member of Parliament (MP) Ishwori Devi Neupane said,’ The evidence is enough. We will make it available for the government.’ Likewise, Neupane accused PM Dahal of speaking like a judge. She asked whether the PM was like a judge.

3. Minister Sharma insists on extending internet to remote settlements

Minister for Communications and Information Technology Rekha Sharma has said the government has launched efforts to expand internet connectivity to remote areas of the country as a campaign. Launching the Nepal Telecom’s Fiber Net service at Jhimruk rural municipality in Pyuthan on Wednesday. Minister Sharma said works are in progress to provide advanced internet facilities to all districts and local levels and stressed the need to ensure quality and reliable services by Nepal Telecom (NT) and instructed its representatives to make progress towards that end. According to Minister Sharma, internet connectivity will be extended to all districts except Humla by the current fiscal. She even said that increased access to internet facilities will not only benefit users but also contribute to the company’s revenue collections.

4. Dr. Bhattarai: Never thought of uniting with CPN(Maoist Centre)

Nepal Samjbadi Party (NSP) Chairperson Dr. Baburam Bhattarai has said that the party had never thought about uniting with the CPN (Maoist Centre). Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters, Subidhanagar on Wednesday, Dr. Bhattarai commented on the unification. Dr. Bhattarai said, ‘There will be no turning back in the name of new. We are trying to build the power to implement democracy–based socialism and a socialist-oriented economy.’ Chairperson Dr. Bhattarai said, ‘We have not thought anything else. Never thought of uniting with an old party.’

5. Speaker Ghimire and Chief Whips going to Switzerland

The meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR) has been postponed till 31 March (Chaitra 18). The meeting was postponed for 10 days after Speaker Devraj Ghimire and the Party Chief Whips had to depart for Switzerland to attend the Inter–Legislative Union (IUP) meeting. A team of 10 leaders along with Speaker Ghimire will be heading to attend the 148th Conference of IPU starting from 23 March (Chaitra 10) till 27 March (Chaitra 14) in Geneva. Along with Speaker Ghimire, Nepali Congress Chief Whip Ramesh Lekhak, CPN (UML) Chief Whip Mahesh Bartaula, CPN (Maoist Centre) Chief Whip Hitraj Pandey, Rastriya Swatantra Party (RPP) Chief Whip Santosh Pariyar are also going. Likewise, National Assembly MP Ganga Belbase, Secretary General of the Federal Parliament Padma Prasad Pandey, Spokesperson Ekram Giri, International Branch of Parliament Pradeep Guragain, Speaker Ghimire’s secretary Tej Prakash Bhattarai in the team. The team will leave on Thursday and will return on 29 March (Chaitra 16).

6. Oli: Party would not do politics based on opportunities

The ruling coalition party CPN (UML) Chairperson KP Sharma Oli has said that the party would not do politics based on opportunities. Addressing a massive gathering of the Kathmandu Committee Cadres on Wednesday, Oli talked about the plans of the party. ‘CPN (UML) would not do politics based on opportunity. People are great. We won’t go beyond the people,’ said Oli. Likewise, on a different note, he said that it was worrisome for the CPN (Maoist Centre) to head towards the direction of collapsing. Giving an example of an old Communist leader Mohan Birkram Singh, Oli said, ‘This is how people collapse.’