Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, January 28:

The division within the coalition government over the issue of holding elections came to light today, as the ministers speaking at a programme today differed on the issue. While minister of Local Development, Yuwaraj Gyawali, who represents the CPN-UML in the coalition government, said the situation was “unfavourable” for holding polls, minister of state for Land Reforms and Management, Ram Chandra Ray, argued that polls could be a pro-people practice. Ray represents the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP).

Both the ministers speaking at an interaction organised by the Forum for Intellectual Debate here today, however, said that holding talks with the Maoists should be the topmost priority. “Improving the current situation is more important than holding the polls,” minister Gyawali said. Reiterating the need to hold talks, Ray, however, said that going for elections does not mean the doors for talks are closed. Spokesman for the Nepali Congress (Democratic), Dr Minendra Rizal, warned that the situation would deteriorate further if elections were postponed this time. He added that the government should not close doors for talks with the Maoists.

Stating that the situation was not favourable for holding free and fair elections, Krishna Jung Rayamajhi, president of the Civic Peace Commission, said the elections would invite more bloodshed. In another interaction on Parliamentary Democracy and Present Political Crisis organised by the Free Students’ Union Tri-Chandra Campus, Minister of Physical Planning and Works, Prakash Man Singh, said there is no alternative to getting fresh mandate. “In the context when the Maoists are not serious to solve the present crisis through dialogue despite government’s sincere efforts and repetitive offers, there is no alternative to holding election for solving the deepening crisis,” Singh said. Krishna Gopal Shrestha, State Minister of Local Development, said that the present political crisis could be solved by peace talks and if that does not materialise we should go for polls.