UML leader calls upon NRNs to assist polls
General Secretary of the CPN (UML), Madhav Kumar Nepal, has called upon the Non-Resident Nepalis (NRN) community to extend their wholehearted support to make the Constituent Assembly polls in Nepal a success.
Addressing a gathering of expatriate Nepalis residing in UK on Monday, Nepal, who is also one of the senior leaders of the ruling alliance, said the CA polls must be conducted in time so as to allow Nepali people to determine their future themselves. He said democracy can't strengthen unless people fight for their rights. He also hailed Nepali people's courage and dedication to establish peace and democracy in the country through popular uprising last year.
Nepal also reiterated his party and government's support for the cause of NRN movement and the on-going fight of the former British Gurkha soldiers for equal pensions and other benefits.
UML central committee member Bhim Rawal was also present in the meet chaired by president of Nepalese Democratic Forum (NDF) UK, Ang Kaljung Lama. The meeting was held at the Priority Community Centre at Acton Town, London.
The NDF UK also organised a dinner reception in honour of the visiting guests. Chairman of the Social organisations Department of NDF UK, Rabindra Kanel, thanked representatives of various Nepali organisations in UK for their support and cooperation.
UML leaders Nepal and Rawal arrived in UK early this week after visiting Norway and Germany.
Meanwhile, the UML General Secretary visited Tul Bahadur Pun VC and his family on Tuesday at the latter's house in Martindale Road, London.
"Nepal congratulated Pun VC and Gurkha Army Ex-Servicemen's Organisation (GAESO) for their victory for Gurkhas' right to settle in the UK and expressed his full support for the continuing campaign and court cases for the same right to all pre1997 Gurkhas, as well as equal pension for them
irrespective of their stay," a statement issued by GAESO said.
The Gurkhas served for Britain, died for Britain so they deserve the same treatment as their British counterparts, Nepal added.
Thanking for coming to see him, Pun VC said their fight a for a fair deal in settlement right and pension is still on-going and they need full support from the government of Nepal as well as the main political parties.
GAESO president Padam Bahadur Gurung, who also leaves in Hounslow, requested the UML leader to initiate a bilateral arrangement for the recruitment and equal treatment of all the Gurkhas and de-link any of their terms and conditions service and pension to Indian Army.
GAESO lawyer from Nepal Gopal Chintan briefed Nepal and said that the organisation was preparing for a new pension case at the London High Court soon.
According to GAESO, appeals of about 2000 Gurkhas, who have been denied of their right to settlement in the UK by the British consular offices overseas are being heard at the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal in London. nepalnews.com Aug 21 07
