Govt meeting with Gen Z and political parties fruitful to election preparation: Minister Kharel

Kathmandu, Oct 29: Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Jagdish Kharel, has said the government was encouraged by the joint meeting held with Gen Z representatives and political parties in the presence of Prime Minister Sushila Karki at PM’s official residence, Baluwatar.

“The three sides’ meeting was held in a harmonious atmosphere on Wednesday. It will be instrumental in forwarding election preparation,” Minister Kharel, who is also the spokesperson of the government, told the media after the four-hour-long meeting. How the government could address the Gen Z demands and the mandate of holding the March 5 election were discussed seriously in the meeting where the Gen Z representatives, political leaders and government put forth their views in an amicable manner, according to him.

It is the first time the political parties met with the Gen Z leaders following the September 8-9 protest that toppled the coalition government, causing the dissolution of the House of Representatives and placing the present interim government. The interim government is mandated to hold the March 5 election.

PM Karki took a special initiative to bring together the political parties and Gen G leaders to listen to their demands and concerns collectively and forward election preparations accordingly. In response to the media queries on the political parties’ varying positions, Minister Kharel said, “Almost all political parties are for election. They have clear views.

The Nepali Congress, CPN (Maoist Centre), and Rastriya Prajatantra Party were ready to cooperate with government for election. Even the CPN UML said it was not against election,” he explained. The Nepali Congress leaders asked the government to consider various factors including security. Similarly, UML reiterated whether government was able to create safe atmosphere for election.

On the occasion, the Gen Z leaders emphasized good governance and end of corruption. They also said they were for election. “Now the atmosphere for election is created. Government requests for all sides’ cooperation to this end,” Kharel added. Government is working actively to return the looted arms, he informed.

In the meeting, PM Karki reminded the political leaders and Gen G leaders on the contributions they could make to ensure the election is held successfully. She informed that government was committed to holding election and forwarding good governance initiatives.

On behalf of the government, PM Karki, Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal, Minister for Education, Science and Technology Dr Mahabir Pun, and Minister for Communications, Information and Technology, Jagdish Kharel participated in the meeting.

The leaders in attendance were Narayan Kaji Shrestha, Barshaman Pun, Madhav Sapkota, Prakash Adhikari, Deepak Karki, Prakash Jwala, Rajendra Pandey, Mohan Shrestha, Rajendra Gurung, Nisha Dangi, Swarnim Wagle, Mahesh Bartaula, Kshitij Thebe, Basant Kushwaha, Prakash Sharan Mahat, Miraj Dhungana, Bibek Dahal, James Karki, Ameet Khanal, and Rajan Ranamagar who represented different political parties.