TWO KILLED IN VEHICLE ACCIDENT Kathmandu, 14 Jan.: Two persons were killed and three others injured when a tanker couldn’t negotiate a stoop hill Monday at Dahachowk in the Valley. VDC-6 on Monday. Police the road was muddy and the load was heavy. Nnnn GACHCHHADAR UNHAPPY WITH BIG PARTIES Kathmandu, 14 Jan.: Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Bijay Kumar Gachchhadar has accused the big political parties of practicing the politics of negation, RSS reports. Addressing a gathering organised on the occasion of the Maghi festival at Tundikhel of the capital on Monday, DPM Gachchhadar claimed that he would show his talent giving a political outlet to the country provided he was given the chance to lead the new government. DPM Gachchhadar, who is also the President of the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Democratic, said he played an equally responsible role in the democratic movement of the country as other party leaders. He said though Nepal was rich in terms of nature, culture, and socio-economic aspects, the leaders of the big political parties have spoiled the political developments. According to him, the democracy and republic in the country could not be challenged in Nepal. DPM Gachchhadar pointed out that the party and leaders in favour of federalism should join hands for a solution of problems facing the country. Meanwhile, Minister for Irrigation Mahendra Yadav said the Tharu community is culturally rich and has played a commendable role in every democratic movement in Nepal. Also speaking on the occasion were Raj Kumar Lekhi, Rajendra Chaudhari, Rukmini Chaudhari and Satya Narayan Suman. In the celebration, various dishes specific to the Tharu culture were displayed and sold. There were 40 stalls depicting Tharu costumes and lifestyle. The latest census has recorded some 1.7 million Tharu people in Nepal. Maghi is the major festival of this community. It is the New Year Day of the Tharu people. COLD CLAIMS LIVES IN RUKUM, MOHOTTARI Kathmandu, 14 Jan.:The number of people succumbing to cold this winter has reached three in Rukum so far, RSS reports from Rukum.. Man Bahadur Khadka,67, of Badarpani in Rungha VDC-5 is the latest victim. Earlier, Durga Budhathoki of Garayela VDC-9 and Sher Bahadur Badi, residing at the Muglu river bank had died of cold. Daily life in the district continues to be hit hard by the increasing cold, with majority of the parts in the district witnessing heavy frost in the morning. Absence of timely rainfall is said to be the reason behind the chilly weather, according to meteorologists. RSS adds from Mohottari:: One more person has succumbed to cold weather in Mahottari district on Sunday. The victim of the biting cold is Upendra Paswan, 50, of Pipara VDC-3, the District Police Office said. Paswan, who had been sick due to biting cold for the past one week died this morning, said Police Inspector Jayshriraj Kunwar.With this, the number of people dying from cold this winter has reached 33 in the district. Nnnn 21 OFFICIALS SACKED IN NEPALGUNJ Kathmandu, 14 Jan.: The Nepalgunj Municipality has sacked 21 employees appointed in various times on the basis of nepotism after the economic burden to the municipality was beyond its capacity, RSS reports from Nepalgunj/. They were given retirement as they were appointed on the basis of partisan sharing rather than for need, said Office Chief Lok Bahadur Sunar. Meanwhile, the municipality has made public budget estimate for the next fiscal year 2013-14 by curtailing some old projects. The total budget for the next fiscal year is Rs. 122 million. nnnn