Janakpurdham, March 18:

The Maoist-called nationwide blockade has affected the preparation for the seven-party alliance’s movement scheduled for April 8, said Ram Chandra Jha, central member of the CPN-UML. Inaugurating the sixth convention of the Dhanusha branch of the Nepal Intellectual Council in Janakpur today, Jha said: “The blockade has not only affected the government but also the democratic movement. Preparations in the district and regional levels for the capital-centred movement has been affected.”

As party leaders and activists are being active in rural areas, the Maoists are threatening them, he said.

“How will the alliance with the Maoists be possible as they (Maoists) are being uncooperative,” Jha said.

Most of the participants of the convention urged the Maoists to call off the blockade. Nepali Congress leader Brishesh Chandra Lal said the blockade has affected the movement to some extent.

At the programme was chaired by Jay Kishor Lav, chairman of the council, Laxman Singh, district president of Janmorcha Nepal, Digambar Roy of NC-D and Ram Govinda Yadav, district chairman of Sadbhawana- Ananda Devi, also expressed their views.