Kathmandu — Political leaders have voiced dissatisfaction over the remarks and behavior of several sitting ministers during a high-level meeting between the government and political parties held on Tuesday at the initiative of Prime Minister Sushila Karki.
Concerns Over Ministerial Remarks and Election Atmosphere
According to Rajendra Pandey, senior vice-chairman of the CPN (Unified Socialist), several leaders raised serious questions about Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal’s comments, arguing that his statements had created unease among political parties. “Many leaders pointed out that the home minister’s tone and presentation appeared to weaken the election environment,” Pandey said.
He added that some ministers were accused of making remarks that could further complicate the situation. “If ministers themselves speak in ways that spread confusion among the public, it risks undermining democratic practice,” Pandey noted.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Karki emphasized that a fair election would not be possible without the cooperation of all political parties, calling for collective political effort. However, leaders expressed concerns about security and the government’s slow response to criminal activities. “Several armed fugitives are still at large. In such conditions, it is difficult to assure voters of their safety,” Pandey stated.
Questions Raised on Election Commission and Political Bias
According to Pandey, the prime minister said she has been in continuous dialogue with representatives of Generation Z and urged political parties to engage directly with the youth as well. “The prime minister said both the government and the parties must work together to create a conducive environment and ensure that no wrong message spreads,” he shared.
The meeting also discussed the travel restrictions imposed on former prime minister and UML chairperson KP Sharma Oli. Some leaders questioned whether such actions were politically motivated. Similarly, decisions made by the Election Commission were criticized for appearing inconsistent and politically influenced.
Overall, Tuesday’s meeting reflected a growing sense of mistrust toward the government among some political leaders and highlighted uncertainty surrounding the upcoming elections. The key challenge now lies in how the government can restore confidence and ensure a stable and fair electoral environment.
