Kathmandu, November 8:

General secretary of the CPN-UML Madhav Kumar Nepal today said that the proposals passed by the interim parliament on republic and proportional electoral system for CA polls will in no way threaten the unity of the seven political parties.

“The proposals were passed as part of the democratic process and they are not going to trouble the unity of the seven parties,” he said addressing a programme organised by the Tarai Free Justice Forum. He said the parliament had to pass the proposals to end the prevailing political crisis.

He said that the proposals might have sent a message to the Nepali Congress to behave more seriously in the present political scenario. He also stressed the need for an immediate meeting of the seven parties to solve the political deadlock through discussion.

Nepal also criticized the government for “sleeping” while the whole country is gripped by criminal activities. “The government has failed to show its presence in most parts of the country. The seven-party government has not been able to play its role in maintaining peace in this critical time,” he said, adding that the political crises will not be resolved without the joint efforts of the parties concerned.

He also urged the civil society, professionals and other organisations to come up with more constructive contributions to resolve the lengthening peace process.

He also said that the government should come up with a new notion of “common holidays” to address the row of over holidays in festivals of different communities. “Let all communities celebrate their festivals but this should not hamper the work in offices and industries. Holidays and festivals are different things - both should be planned in such a way that productivity of the country is not hampered,” he said.

Former minister of state Dr Banshidhar Mishra accused the security bodies of having connections with criminals, which lets the criminals move freely despite heavy pressure on the government to punish them.

“The Home Minister is taking advantage of the chaos in the Tarai. Pure criminal activities are taking place in the name of politics,” he said, adding that the home minister should immediately resign.

UML lawmaker Rijwan Ansari said that Nepal’s festivals are all unique in the sense they represent one particular community but reflect the emotions of the whole country. He also urged Nepali Congress not to be a hurdle to an all-out proportional system for CA polls.

Chairman of the Maoist-affiliated Tarai Mukti Morcha Krishna Dev Singh said that the government has been acting irresponsibly in the Tarai. “The government has remained silent even though something bad keeps happening in the Tarai every day. This lack of state in the Terai will provoke all the people in the Tarai to opt for a new revolution,” he warned.