‘Radicalism is past, modern democracy the new mantra’

To the international community, he had a simple message: Nepal would adhere to the principles of panchasheel, which would be the basis of its future foreign policy as well.

While addressing the nation for the first time after he became the Prime Minister, Prachanda said, “I want to pledge full commitment towards modern democracy based on multi-party competition, periodic election and the rule of law. Democracy now must belong to the people and remain a formal political system.”

Prachanda said the country was going through a difficult phase of history. “The first and foremost duty of the Government and the people will be to protect sovereignty, national independence and territorial integrity. If Nepal does not exist, anything else including the republic will lose its meaning.”

The Prime Minister also took the opportunity to solicit full cooperation from the Army and other security agencies with an appeal that the bitterness of the past and the years of conflict, must now be forgotten. “I appeal to the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force, Nepal Police and the National Investigation Department to forget the past and extend their full support to maintain national unity. There will be no prejudice against them from our side.”

Aware of the hostile reactions from Maoist fighters, Prachanda said the Government would fulfil its responsibility towards the Peoples Liberation Army and the families of the ‘martyrs’. However, he did not mention what his Government would do for the families of security personnel who lost their lives fighting ‘terrorism’.

Prachanda sought help from the international community to provide both moral and physical support. “We will certainly match peoples’ expectations in a planned and phased manner. We have set-our priorities. A balanced approach to integrate the interest of the mountains, hills and the plains will be adopted so that national unity is further strengthened,” he said.

He said the Government would address issues like poverty, unemployment and implement effective socio economic policies. “The country will build modern industrial economy in which private-public partnership will be encouraged and promoted. Foreign investments will also be encouraged,” said Prachanda.