Kathmandu: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Physical Infrastructures and Transport, Narayan Kaji Shrestha, has said there was no need to dispute over the contribution made by Prithvi Narayan Shah.

At a tea reception organized by Rastriya Prajatantra Party on the occasion of the 301st birth anniversary of Prithvi Narayan Shah on Wednesday, DPM Shrestha reminded that Shah had unified Nepal while expanding state. “Government’s decision of giving holiday today has given further respect and importance to Shah’s role,” he observed.

On the occasion, Chairperson of the CPN (Unified Socialist), Madhav Kumar Nepal, seconded the DPM that there was nothing to dispute over the Prithvi Narayan’s role on unification of modern Nepal. “Among national luminaries, Prithvi Narayan Shah is one. It is meaningless to forget the leader who protected Nepali territory by fighting the foreign forces. He founded the modern Nepal,” the former prime minister Nepal said, reminding that he was the one to object to the activities of demolishing Shah’s statue.

Similarly, senior leader of Nepali Congress Ramchandra Poudel said he had been stressing on the national unity for long. “It is a matter of happiness and glory for us to observe the Prithvi Jayanti in memory of Prithvi Narayan Shah’s role on unification of modern Nepal. The Day must not be limited to formality, but the entire national should be united,” he stressed.

Senior leader further said country was witnessing extreme party interest and groupism. “National unity is must to ensure rights and justice to all underprivileged and backward people in the country,” senior leader Poudel said further reminding that if Prithvi Narayan Shah’s teachings were followed, country could maintain good governance.