UML protests govt's decision to increase number of local units

KATHMANDU:The main opposition party, CPN -UML, has protested the government's move of increasing the number of local level units, saying it was in contravention of the Constitution of Nepal.

During the meeting of top leaders of three major political parties, which had been held at the official residence of the Prime Minister at Baluwatar on Tuesday, UML accused the government of increasing the number of local bodies  in between the first and second round of elections, which is against the constitution.

Talking to media persons after the meeting, UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli questioned  which Article or Clause of the Constitution was used to increase the number of local bodies.

He also recalled that other political parties had not agreed to the UML's proposal of making Biratnagar and Birgunj as metropolitan cities beforehand and blamed that the number of local level was increased in order to defeat the UML in the elections.

UML also urged all to follow the election code of conduct, saying no new programme should be brought in the budget and there should be no change in the tax sphere.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Bijay Kumar Gachchhadar said that the number of local units was increased on the basis of the Constitution and political consensus to bring all parties on board the second round of elections.

Clarifying that the number of local level was increased from Jhapa to Kanchanpur on the basis of the understanding of a meeting where the NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba and CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli were present, he said, "The decision was crucial for the political consensus of the country and it has guaranteed participation of all in the elections."

Present on the meeting were Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, the DPM duo Gachchhadar and Krishna Bahadur Mahara, NC President Deuba and senior leader Ram Chandra Poudel, leader Ram Sharan Mahat, CPN-UML Chair Oli, leader Madhav Kumar Nepal, Deputy General Secretary Bishnu Prasad Poudel, among others.

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