Amidst protests, the Nepal government on Sunday presented the agreement related to the controversial Millennium Corporation Challenge (MCC) project of 500 million US dollars in Parliament for approval. There is strong opposition in Nepal regarding this project of America and political polarization has intensified in the Himalayan country regarding this issue. When Information, Communications and Information Technology Minister Gyanendra Bahadur Karki introduced the agreement in the House of Representatives, it was strongly opposed by lawmakers from opposition parties, including some members of the ruling party. Outside parliament, small groups of the Communist Party and several pro-left youth organizations held rallies and raised anti-American slogans, officials said.
Police fired tear gas shells and used water cannons to disperse the protesters. Meanwhile, Speaker Agni Sapkota adjourned the session after some opposition MPs spoke against the agreement. Sources said that the next sitting of the house is to be held on February 24. Nepal's political parties are divided over accepting US grants-in-aid under the MCC agreement. This agreement is under consideration in the House of Representatives.
Left political party opposed the agreement
Nepal's left-wing political parties are opposing this agreement, saying that it is not in the national interest and it is to counter China. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin in Beijing said on Friday that China is happy to see Nepal's international aid, but it should be received without any political ties. The US Embassy said in a statement on Saturday that the US$500 million MCC grant is a gift from the American people.
Nepal and America signed the MCC agreement in the year 2017
He said that the partnership between the two countries will create employment and infrastructure in Nepal, which will improve the lives of Nepalese. She also pointed out that the project was requested by the Nepalese government and the Nepalese people and was designed to transparently reduce poverty and develop Nepal's economy. Nepal and the US had signed the MCC agreement in the year 2017. Its aim is to build infrastructure in Nepal which includes the improvement of power transmission lines and national highways.