BHAIRAHAWA, FEBRUARY 15
Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba today urged the Supreme Court not to issue its verdict on the dissolution of the House of Representatives under pressure of street protests held by various political outfits and civil society. Deuba also requested the Election Commission to be prepared to hold the general election at any time.
Speaking at a protest rally organised by NC Rupandehi District Committee in Bhairahawa, Deuba cast doubt over the Election Commission's modus operandi. "Why has the EC not made election programmes public yet? Why is it mired in the dispute of election symbol of the sun?" Deuba wondered.
Deuba said the EC could not provide the Sun as election symbol to two parties. "But, it can freeze the symbol and provide different symbols to separate parties," Deuba suggested.
He expressed dissatisfaction with the EC's working style and said that the EC should not wait for the apex court's decision, but should provide election symbols to the parties and initiate the election activities immediately.
"The general election has to be held within six months after dissolution of the Parliament, but the EC is silent. Countries such as Britain, France and European countries are prepared to hold polls at any time.
In case the Parliament is not reinstated, election has to be held on time," Deuba added.
The NC president said that his party was ready to accept either decision of the Supreme Court. "The NC does not say this or that. The court does not have to be influenced by the rallies on the street. It has to issue the verdict independently and fairly," he stated.
Deuba slammed the ruling Nepal Communist Party and said its intra-party rift had also put the Nepali Congress in trouble.
A version of this article appears in the print on February 16, 2021, of The Himalayan Times.
