Kathmandu, September 29:

Leaders representing various political parties today said that the Maoists’ stance on a proportional representation system and their plans to disrupt the constituent asembly election will only benefit regressive forces.

They warned of “severe consequences” if the Maoists stick to their demands.

Minister for Land Reforms and Management, Jagat Bahadur Bogati, accused the Maoists of “supporting” regressive forces by announcing a stir to disrupt the election. “The election process will not be affected even if the Maoists do not submit their candidates’ closed list tomorrow,” he said at the Reporters’ Club.

The CPN-Maoist yesterday announced that it would mobilise cadres in thousands in the capital tomorrow to disrupt plans to prepare the closed-list of candidates for the election. Nepali Congress (NC) leader Dr Minendra Rizal said it would be disastrous for the CPN-Maoist if it argues that polls would be meaningless without it. He also accused the Maoists of encouraging regressive forces, which he said are hell-bent on deferring the polls. “Disrupting the election is tantamount to supporting the waning monarchy,” he added.

Pradeep Gyawali of the CPN-UML also said that the Maoists’ recent actions have proved beneficial to the regressive forces. He accused the Maoists of trying to save monarchy in the name of disrupting the election. He said that history will never forgive the Maoists if they disrupt tomorrow’s electoral work.

Gyawali also said his party was not in favour of calling a special session of Parliament. “If you (Maoists) are not satisfied with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, then all you have to do is challenge him in the election,” he told the Maoist leadership.

Maoist leader Janardhan Sharma, however, said that his party will not allow anyone to register the closed-list at the Election Commission tomorrow. “We will not allow the polls to happen if the parties do not agree to a proportional electoral system,” he said.