Birgunj, February 6

Tarai Madhes Democratic Party General Secretary Jitendra Sonal today said the government should hold parliamentary elections before the civic polls.

Speaking at a press meet held in Birgunj, Sonal said the country should go for parliamentary polls by the end of this year and the new government formed after that should conduct civic and provincial elections.

“The government is trying to confuse people by saying civic polls would be held within four months, but as the Election Commission requires 120 days to prepare for the polls, holding local polls within four months is next to impossible,” he said.

Sonal accused the leaders of major political parties of trying to thwart civic polls. He said the United Democratic Madhesi Front wanted to amend the statute first and then go for parliamentary polls by the end of this year.

“The UDMF wants a revised statute amendment bill to be passed from the Parliament,” said Sonal. He argued that the CPN-UML’s protest against statute amendment was a farce. He claimed that the bill would be passed  from the Parliament with the UML’s support.

Sonal said the Local Level Restructuring Commission’s report submitted to the government was unscientific and irrelevant. He sought restructuring of local bodies on the basis of population.