Nepalgunj, January 4:

Says poll date announcement in a week

CPN-UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal said today that the date for the constituent assembly (CA) polls will be announced in a week, adding that the CPN-UML respects the right to self-determination in line with the UN provision.

He was speaking at a press meet organised by the Banke chapter of Press Chautari Nepal here.

Asked to explain why the parties are being accused of barring the royalists from organising publicity programmes for the polls, he said: “No one can deprive anybody from exercising fundamental rights.”

“The CPN-UML has called the agitating forces in the Tarai to come for talks,” Nepal said, adding: “The UML has been looking for ways to hold talks with them.

Nepal called for the timely implementation of the agreements reached with various

organisations, including the Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum and jjnajatis.

“I have called the JTMM-J and JTMM-G to come for talks,” he said, adding that his party has been making efforts to create a conducive atmosphere for the resolution of the Tarai problem.

Saying that the CPN-UML is for respecting the right to self-determination as per the UN provision, he said nobody has the right to split the nation. He said that the government and the Maoists should be serious about implementing the 23-point agreement.

He termed the formation of new parties in the Tarai a “natural process”.

He said that the polls must not be deferred again on any pretext.

“Security in the Tarai is weak, but it is not so weak that the polls cannot be held,” he said.

Terming the government “worthless”, he said: “The UML has been forced to stay in the government.” He said the unity of the seven parties should be kept intact until a draft of the new constitution is written following the polls.