Tharu leaders of the ruling coalition have united in favor of the ordinance brought by the government. Organizing a joint press conference in the Capital on Tuesday, the Nepali Congress and the CPN (Maoist Center) leaders defended the ordinance. At a time when the Nepali Congress General Secretary duo Gagan Thapa and Bishwo Prakash Sharma have been protesting against the ordinance, NC central members Ram Janam Chaudhary, Yogendra Chaudhary, Gopal Dahit, and Kalpana Chaudhary among others welcomed the government’s move.

During the conference, they strongly condemned the remarks of their own leaders including Thapa and Sharma.

NC central member Yogendra Chaudhary warned that they would retaliate against those who protested against the ordinance. “The Tharuhat movement was held to protect the sovereignty of the country. But, the sentiments of Tharu were hurt by showing the Tharu movement. We honor the ordinance brought to resolve the false cases filed during the movement,” he said, adding, “We will not remain silent against those who are playing a game to destroy the ordinance and raise questions against it. We are ready to take to the streets to retaliate against them.” He said that Resham Chaudhary was framed because of a political conspiracy. Another NC central member Ram Janam Chaudhary said that they are hopeful that President Bidya Devi Bhandari would authenticate the ordinance. He also urged Gagan Thapa to recall his remarks he made some time ago. During a program, Thapa had said that Resham Chaudhary was innocent and should be released at the earliest. CPN (Maoist Center) politburo leader Santa Kumar Tharu welcomed the government’s move to issue the ordinance and said that the Tharu leaders became united to pile pressure on the party leaders. Earlier, NC General Secretary Bishwo Prakash Sharma had also objected to the government decision to bring the ordinance.