Kathmandu, February 24

The Federal Alliance decided today to launch a movement against the government's decision to hold polls on May 14. The decision was taken after a meeting of the alliance held here today that concluded that FA could not accept local level polls.

Coordinator of FA Upendra Yadav told THT that parliamentary parties of the United Democratic Madhesi Front's constituents could consider withdrawing support to the government.

FA and UDMF had supported the formation of a new government under CPN-Maoist Centre Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal after signing a three–point agreement with the Nepali Congress and CPN-MC in August.

Yadav said UDMF had already launched agitation against the government’s decision to hold polls before ensuring passage of the constitution amendment bill and the agitation would grow fiercer if the bill was not passed.

General Secretary of National Madhes Socialist Party Keshav Jha said alliance leaders were of the view that FA should withdraw support to the government after serving an ultimatum. According to Jha, alliance leaders could give the government some time to pass the constitution amendment bill before resorting to fierce forms of agitation, particularly general strikes.

"We will resort to milder forms of protest during the period of ultimatum. If the government fails to ensure passage of the constitution amendment bill, we might resort to indefinite general strike," Jha said and added that the agitating forces would be able to enforce general strikes in the Tarai region and Limbuwan and Kirat areas. In Pokhara and Kathmandu, the alliance will launch demonstration and other forms of protest.

Jha said alliance leaders were of the view that in order to transform their protest into a national movement, they needed to garner support of other like-minded forces, including civil society members. FA leaders will also hold meetings with other political parties within and outside the Parliament to seek their support for their movement.

Jha said the alliance leaders were of the view that Baburam Bhattarai-led Naya Shakti Nepal could support the FA movement by either being a constituent of the alliance or by forging a working alliance with FA. "If we decide to forge a working alliance, then FA will support NSN protests," Jha added.

FA issued a press release  stating that announcement of poll date was unconstitutional, as the Local Bodies Restructuring Commission had not yet determined the number and boundaries of the special, protected and autonomous regions. "Therefore we cannot accept local level polls that the government decided to hold on May 14 without ensuring passage of the constitution amendment bill," FA stated in its release.

FA formed a nine-member task force under Co-chair of Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal Rajendra Shrestha to prepare details of protests. Other members of the task force include Brikhesh Chandra Lal, Keshav Jha, Ram Naresh Ray, Om Gurung, Bijay Sainju, Durga Rai, Dalmardan Kami and Prem Bahadur Khati. The task force will present blueprint of protests in the next meeting of the alliance. FA stated in its release that it would take decision to withdraw its support to the government after holding discussions with UDMF.