Bipin Kumar Acharya, a member of the House of Representatives elected from Dang-2, is worried about whether he can fulfill the ‘terrible’ expectations of the people or not.
“It’s surprising how quickly we can deliver what the Nepalese people have high expectations for,” Acharya said on the Setopati podcast.
Acharya, who won the election for the first time, claims that he has ‘risk taking ability’.
After becoming a member of parliament, he wants to introduce a ‘rule to compensate if government work is not done on time’. He says that this will stop the trend of seeking bribes by not providing services on time.
What political journey has taught me is that citizens do not understand ‘macro indicators’. They see whether there is a direct impact on people’s livelihood. You compare the government based on how easily the kitchen ran,’ said Acharya, who is also the co-general minister of the RSVP, ‘the next government should focus on people’s livelihood, good governance and long-term development.’
He says that the selection of the new government should be based on merit.
“No one can be excused for saying that he made an honest effort as a minister for six months,” Acharya said. Honesty and commitment to work are fundamental issues. Now whether the capacity has been demonstrated or not, the work of the ministers should be measured on the ‘indicator’.
Acharya says that if a minister does not work according to the measure, he should be recalled within 6 months. He claims that he is not going to ask anyone to make him a minister.
‘You don’t meet someone and say that I am qualified for the minister,’ Acharya said, ‘If I am qualified, I will get a place.’
Bipin RSVP president Ravi Lamichhane and senior leader Balen Shah, who likes films, cricket, football and web series, say they should play roles like Jai and Veeru helping each other in the Bollywood film ‘Sholay’.
In Sholay, Jai and Veeru ‘compliment’ each other. Jai has one contribution and Veeru has another contribution, but they come together to defeat Gabbar,’ said Bipin, ‘Now the power given to us by the citizens is not to engage in struggle. Two people are given to take the leadership and drive the country together. Citizens are looking at it seriously.’
Acharya said that although he had a personal relationship with the Speaker Ravi Lamichhane, he rarely met Prime Ministerial candidate Balen Shah.
‘The meeting has not been that much. I don’t make judgments about any person because of media comments. I can form an opinion only after ‘catch the vibe’ in the meeting alone,’ said Acharya, ‘Ravi and Balen have amazing bonding.’
Acharya Sushila Karki-led government is not happy that the MPs’ personal secretary has been removed. He is of the opinion that the state should help the 275 MPs who were chosen to change the country by spending more than five billion rupees to form a team to work.
“275 people, whom the people have entrusted to change the country, but we are disputing whether he got the laptop or not.” Let’s empower MPs. Let’s see if he works or not,” Acharya said. “I don’t agree with the decision to remove the MP’s personal secretary. He should be made a team to make MPs from different backgrounds successful! It is an exaggeration to say that you should do everything in your own way. It is unfair to MPs to only make MPs but to seek delivery of Gajjab without giving any ‘tools’.
Acharya defeated CPN UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel in the February 21 election. After the election results were announced, another competing candidate, Kiran Kishore Ghimire of the Nepali Congress, came to the party’s liaison office and congratulated Acharya. CPN candidate Nirmal Acharya also congratulated at the counting place.
‘UMA has not directly received congratulations and good wishes from the general secretary,’ Acharya said, ‘Be busy.’
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