KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal's chief political advisor Chakrapani Khanal said the local poll dates would be announced within next 10 days.

Speaking with journalists in Kathmandu today, Khanal said the polls would be held by May end.

Likewise, the government was preparing to hold provincial and federal elections in November-December this year simultaneously, he revealed.

"We will announce the poll dates within next 10 days and move ahead by endorsing the Constitution amendment bill," he said, "The existing political complications would get solved after that."

Meanwhile, the CPN Maoist Centre leader revealed that the government was planning to hold local polls according to the new local body structures as recently recommended by the Local Bodies Restructuring Commission.

Though there were some grievances from the political parties about the restructuring, he said, they should be settled in a political understanding to move ahead towards the polls.

Ruling Nepali Congress lawmaker Min Bishwakarma had also seconded Khanal's claim, adding the endorsement of the Constitution amendment bill would convince all parties for the elections.

Speaking at the same function, CPN-UML leader Raghubir Mahaseth, however, accused the government of trying to delay the elections with the introduction of the controversial amendment bill.

The opposition leader demanded that the government withdraw the amendment bill and announce the polls pronto.

Another opposition leader, Rastriya Janamorcha Chairman Chitra Bahadur KC, also cast doubt on the government's claim about preparations for local polls.

"The government is just spreading rumours," he said.