UDMF agrees to pass Constitution amendment, poll laws

KATHMANDU: Leaders associated with the United Democratic Madhesi Front said they were positive towards endorsing the Constitution amendment proposal and the election-related laws so as to pave the way for local polls.

In a meeting with the ruling Nepali Congress and the CPN Maoist Centre on Friday, leaders of the agitating bloc said they would play a positive role in endorsing the laws with necessary revisions.

They, however, told the ruling party leaders that the poll dates should not be announced before endorsing the Constitution amendment bill and other poll laws, according to the state-owned Nepal Television.

Prime Minister and CPN MC Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal had called the meeting in a bid to find maximum consensus for the endorsement of amendment bill and poll laws.

During the meeting held at the Prime Minister's residence in Baluwatar this morning, Dahal had requested the parties to make an appropriate environment to make the local polls a success by endorsing the bills.

Prime Minister Dahal and leaders Ram Bahadur Thapa, Matrika Yadav and Pampha Bhusal from the CPN MC; President Sher Bahadur Deuba and Deputy Prime Minister Bimalendra Nidhi from the Nepali Congress; and Upendra Yadav, Mahantha Thakur, Rajendra Mahato, Hridayesh Tripathi and Ashok Rai among others from the UDMF were present in the meeting.

UDMF objects to recommendation of High Court judges

Meanwhile, the UDMF leaders present in the meeting objected to the recommendation of 80 names that the Judicial Council made for appointment at seven High Courts.

Yadav told media after the meeting that the recommendation was unilateral and against the principle of inclusion, according to the Rastriya Samachar Samiti.