Kathmandu, March 29:

Chairman of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), Pashupati SJB Rana, and Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala met at the latter’s official residence in Baluwatar today. During the meeting, Rana expressed concern about the “deteriorating” law and order situation. Stating that elections to a constituent assembly (CA) will not be free, fair and impartial if the law and order situation is not improved, Rana suggested Koirala to take necessary steps to improve the law and order situation to ensure free and impartial elections.

He also lamented the “lack of seriousness” on the part of the eight political parties in addressing the Tarai issue. According to a source close to Rana, the RPP chairman also brought up the issue of “continued” violence, extortion and “intimidation” by the Maoists.

Rana and Koirala also discussed the current political scenario and the formation of an interim government. Rana is also learnt to have drawn the attention of the PM towards Maoists’ intervention in mass meetings and programmes of the political parties. It may be noted that Maoist cadres had barred Rana from visiting his home district of Sindhupalchowk last week to address a programme of the RPP.