Dhankuta, April 23:

Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Prithvi Subba Gurung today said the eight party leaders are not serious towards creating an atmosphere for the constituent assembly (CA) polls.

Talking to journalists here after attending the National Laligurans Festival at Bashantapur of Terhathum, Gurung said the decision of the eight-party leaders not to hold the polls by mid-June when it was possible on June 20 was wrong.

He said that the CA polls will be held at any rate. He, however, did not exactly say when the polls will be held.

As the CPN (Maoist) has not made its presence felt in rural areas and the NC and the NC-D have not been unified, neither the Maoists nor the NC want the CA polls held in the present context, Gurung said. As the government is run by the eight parties, it is their duty to create a conducive atmosphere for the polls, he added.

Stating that the government was for holding the polls in an independent manner, Gurung said, “If the polls are held independently, they will be validated by the world.” Gurung, who is also a central member of the CPN (UML), stressed the need for a front of the leftist forces for the establishment of a republic.