Mahar Warns the Government, Praises President’s Move

Kathmandu — Senior central member of the Nepali Congress and head of its Education Department, Nain Singh Mahar, has expressed serious concern over the government's growing indifference toward the pressing issues of the people and its attempts to undermine the constitutional spirit for the sake of power. Simultaneously raising his voice for the plight of Madhesi farmers and the protection of democratic values, he warned the government to remain accountable to the public and act within constitutional boundaries.

During a discussion with Nepali Congress leaders from Sudurpaschim and Madhesh Provinces in Kathmandu, Mahar strongly criticized the government’s declaration-based, resultless approach to the severe drought in Madhesh. “The fields in Madhesh are cracked, and so are the hearts of the farmers,” Mahar said. “But the government is trying to evade responsibility by merely declaring the region a ‘disaster-affected area’ on paper. Such declarations don’t irrigate dry fields or wipe away farmers' tears. What we need is not hollow announcements, but a concrete relief package and a sustainable solution.”

Speaking at the event, Mahar openly praised President Ramchandra Paudel’s decision to return the Constitutional Council-related bill for reconsideration. He described the President’s move as a courageous and historic step taken beyond party interests to defend the constitution and democracy.

“The government had attempted to trample the constitutional spirit for its own power convenience, completely disregarding the principle of separation of powers, checks, and balances,” Mahar stated firmly. “The provision allowing appointments to constitutional bodies based solely on the decision of the Prime Minister and one other member would weaken democracy and institutionalize authoritarianism. By stopping such an unconstitutional move, the President has reawakened his guardianship and constitutional role.”

He remarked that this incident has revealed how irresponsible Parliament can be regarding critical matters like law-making. Mahar added, “Lawmakers must not forget the democratic commitments made to the people during constitution drafting. Law-making must serve the country’s long-term future, not short-term gain.”

Finally, as a leading contender for General Secretary in the Nepali Congress’s 15th General Convention, Mahar emphasized that all parties, including the main opposition, must act responsibly to prevent Parliament from becoming a mere ‘rubber stamp’ of the government. He stressed the need for the Nepali Congress to adopt strategies that would make Parliament more active, dynamic, and accountable, and highlighted the party’s responsibility to play a leading role in keeping the democratic process alive.