BHAKTAPUR: Nepali Congress General Secretary Bishwo Prakash Sharma has warned that the party will not support the government if it acts against the recommendation of the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee regarding the “cooling-off period” provision in the Civil Service Bill.

Speaking at a discussion program organized by the Nepali Congress Madhyapur Thimi Municipal Committee and the opening ceremony of Nepal Tarun Dal’s municipal convention on the occasion of BP Memorial Day, Sharma stated that any attempt to remove the cooling-off period or act contrary to the committee’s recommendation would force the Congress to reconsider its support for the government.

He asserted that anyone who violates the provision will be held accountable. “Those who have acted wrongly regarding the cooling-off period will be punished. It may be extended from two years to two and a half years, but it will not be removed,” he said.

“It will be resolved through the National Assembly. If there is any attempt to remove the cooling-off period at the direction of the Prime Minister, or if the government works against the committee’s recommendation, the Congress will not keep supporting this government,” he added.

Sharma also said that discussions are ongoing regarding the Land Bill and that it will be taken to the committee and advanced with broad consensus.

Emphasizing that the country still follows the principles of BP Koirala, Sharma stressed the need for collective commitment to achieve the kind of development envisioned by Koirala.