Prachanda assures to scrap anti-press Act

Chairman of Nepal Communist Party (Maoist Centre) Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has assured the annulment of the anti-press Act. Inaugurating the fourth National General Convention of Press Centre Nepal in Chitwan on Saturday, the former Prime Minister said that press freedom was the utmost priority for the strengthening of democracy.

“The erstwhile government attempted to limit the press freedom in one or the other ways by bringing Acts, which would be scrapped. We won’t let that happen,” he reiterated. Stating that discussions to this effect were held in the five-party alliance, he also informed that the Prime Minister was also consulted for the same. “The more the press is strong and journalists are responsible and organised, the more the democracy is robust,” he viewed, arguing that it would prepare together a basis for socialism.

The journey to socialism would be ensured with the free press, according to him. On the occasion, the Maoist Centre Chairman viewed that counter-revolutionary and regressive forces were still active with their conspiracy to weaken the alliance, to weaken the press and to create delusions through the press.

Likewise, he said that unity among the communist forces was still needed and called for unity among the true and honest communist forces. The Maoist Centre Chairman further said whether to impeach the Chief Justice or not would be decided only after the consensus of the five-party alliance and political parties. Similarly, he urged one and all not to harbour confusion on the breaking of the current alliance just on the issue of impeachment and the US government’s MCC project.

During the programme, Chairman of Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) Bipul Pokharel, Chairwoman of All Nepal Women Association (Revolutionary) Amrita Thapa, Chairman of All Nepal National Independent Student Union (ANNISU-Revolutionary) Pancha Singh, Chairman of Socialist Press Organisation Nepal Shambhu Shrestha, Chairman of Press Centre Nepal Maheshwor Dahal and others expressed their opinions.

The National Convention is scheduled to conclude on Sunday by electing new leadership. Around 800 representatives from across the country are participating in the event, Central Treasurer Suresh Chandra Adhikari said. Meanwhile, Prachanda on Saturday laid a foundation stone for a drinking water project at Dibyanagar of Bharatpur Metropolitan City-26. On the occasion, the Maoist Centre Chairman asserted that Chitwan had offered a development model in the country.