Kathmandu, August 15:

The Nepali Congress (NC) today expressed worry over the law and order situation in the country. It may be noted that the Election Commission (EC) has regularly been expressing worry over the deteriorating law and order situation.

With the constituent assembly elections just three months away, a majority of the central members of the party, speaking at an informal meeting held in the capital today, said they were “alarmed” by the government’s failure to improve the law and order situation, a central leader of the party, Laxman Ghimire, told this daily. “A majority of central leaders expressed concern about the law and order situation. It was their major concern,” Ghimire said.

Asked whether the party will opt for another NC man in place of Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula, another NC leader conceded that it all depends upon Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala. “It is up to the Prime Minister to decide what he should do,” he said.

Another issue raised in the meeting was clashes between cadres of the NC-affiliated students’ organisation, NSU and ANNISU-R.

A central leader of the NC, Dr Ram Baran Yadav, said Sitaula apprised the meeting of the law and order situation and the Madhes issue, while Minister for Peace and Reconstruction Ram Chandra Poudel informed about the ongoing peace talks with different disgruntled factions.

NC is holding its central committee meet on Saturday to discuss and draw a conclusion so as to end the crises facing the nation.