The ruling Nepali Congress, in its election manifesto, has termed the CPN-UML as the “main obstacle to national unity and prosperity”.

But the party has adopted a soft approach to the Madhes-based parties and the two Rastriya Prajatantra Party factions.

In its manifesto for the upcoming polls, prepared by a team led by Mahesh Acharya, the party has promised to be the wheel for drastic social transformation, modernisation of agriculture, a qualitative growth in tourism, revival of industries, effective mobilisation of youth, promotion of women entrepreneurship, effective mobilisation of cooperatives and good governance.

The document says all the political parties should have similar take on foreign policy matters at a time when Nepal is gaining prominence with the rise of India and China.

Given Nepal’s sensitive geographical location, the country is important for rising global powers, the manifesto said. Considering Nepal’s geographical realities, the party would advance its foreign relations based on mutual trust and cooperation.

The multi-faced relations between India and China will be given highest priority while fully abiding by the independence, national pride and territorial integrity of the country based on the principles of international relations.

Criticising the UML’s role particularly after promulgation of the new constitution two years ago, the NC manifesto says the party demonstrated aggression and intolerance with its extremist political stance in relation to Madhes. “The announcement of leftist alliance further jeopardises the achievements in economic progress, national unity and social harmony,” the paper says. Attacking the alliance between the UML and the CPN (Maoist Centre) that advocates a directly elected president, the paper remarks: “Communist alliance cannot guarantee any political stability. This is just a ploy to take the country towards a totalitarian regime and creating a sustained political conflict in the country.”

A communist government cannot ensure economic development but will see cuts in foreign investments, prompting capital flight, the manifesto expresses its concern over a potential electoral success of the leftist alliance. The Congress called the Maoist Centre an “opportunist” force, seeking to benefit from instability. The party has been charged with being at the heart of unstable political equations, with its illusionary political ideology and hunger for power.

The party has documented its commitment to foiling the leftist alliance, appealing to all democratic forces to unite for democracy and social justice. The party raises alarm that the bloc would destroy the federal, inclusive Nepal and endanger the country’s “sovereignty, independence and prosperity”.

More candidates decided

The Nepali Congress has decided more candidates to be fielded in the upcoming elections.

According to the party, Arzu Deuba, the spouse of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, will contest the polls from Kailali-5 in the federal parliamentary polls.

Ambika Basnet will contest from Kathmandu-3 while another female leader of the party, Sita Gurung, will be in the fray in Tehrathum district.

Mahalaxmi Upadhyay “Dina” will run from Makawanpur-2. While Chandra Bhandari will contest from Gulmi-1, Chandra KC will be fielded in Gulmi-2. Bijaya Ghimire is the NC candidate for Palpa-1, Hari Nepal for Palpa-2 and Ram Bahadur KC for Arghakhanchi. In Surkhet-1, Hyridaya Ram Thani is in the race while Rajendra Bahadur Shah will contest the polls in Salyan.