KATHMANDU: Leaders of various political parties have urged the agitating Madhesh-centric political parties to take part in the local level elections scheduled for May 14.

Speaking at a face-to-face programme organised by Reporters' Club in the Capital on Friday, they asked the leaders of Madhesh centric parties to happily become part of the polls instead of pressuring for postponing election date.

At the programme, Nepali Congress leader Dr Narayan Khadka viewed that Madhesh-centric parties should be brought together at a time when main opposition CPN-UML has been positive about the polls, by amending some provisions of the constitution except for the demarcation of provincial boundaries.

UML standing committee member Shankar Pokharel, however, ruled out any possibility of amending the constitution under the same circumstances even if other issues except for the demarcation could be discussed.

Similarly, ruling CPN Maoist Centre leader Agni Prasad Sapkota claimed that a positive environment has been created for holding the polls with the participation of all including the disgruntled parties.

But, protesting Tarai-Madhes Sadhbhawana Party senior leader Ram Naresh Raya countered the argument of Sapkota, claiming that the polls could not take place until the demands of Madhesi community are met.

Also, former Chief Election Commissioner Neel Kanth Uprety pitched for holding the polls into two phases as it would be difficult to hold it at once in all places within the stipulated time.