Kathmandu: Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba has called on the business community to stop blaming political leaders for all shortcomings and instead focus on working harder themselves. Speaking at a program organized at the party’s central office in Sanepa, Deuba emphasized that governance and politics should not be held responsible for everything that happens in the industrial and commercial sectors.

Recalling the era of Girija Prasad Koirala’s leadership, Deuba said that Koirala adopted a liberalization policy during his tenure as Prime Minister and was criticized for promoting privatization. He stressed that the role of the government is not to run businesses or industries but to facilitate them.

“Girija Babu, under the leadership of the Nepali Congress, adopted the liberalization policy. He privatized in line with the belief that business should be done by businessmen and industries should be run by industrialists,” Deuba said. “Despite feeding all the businessmen through such policies, he was widely criticized.”

Addressing criticisms of political leaders, Deuba stated, “You are constantly blaming us, but we haven’t interfered. It is your job to run businesses and industries. If you face problems, come to us—we’re in government and ready to cooperate. But don’t expect everything from us while you do nothing.”

He reiterated that the government’s job is to support, not to operate businesses, and cautioned against blaming political leadership for inaction in areas where responsibility lies elsewhere. “Without hard work, there is no business or industry. Responsibility must be shared,” Deuba added.