Urge armed Tarai outfits to take part in polls

Bhairahawa, January 21:

Stating that most of the demands of the Madhesis have been met, second-generation leaders of the seven parties today urged armed outfits based in the Tarai to participate in the constituent assembly polls scheduled for April 10.

Addressing the mass meeting of the seven parties here, the leaders warned that a civil war will grip the nation if the polls are deferred again.

They said the polls will be held anyway and warned that the people will retaliate against those who try to defer them.

Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies and vice-president of the Nepal Sadbhavana Party (Anandidevi) Shyam Sundar Gupta urged the warring factions in the Tarai to come to the negotiating table. He said the government is serious about addressing genuine demands.

Vice-chairman of the Nepali Congress Gopal Man Shrestha said the country will go for a republic after the polls.

The nation needs lasting peace, he said, calling for the resolution of the Madhes problem through talks.

Standing committee member of the CPN (UML) Jhal Nath Khanal claimed that the genuine demands of the Madhesis have been met, adding it is illogical to put demands that are not legitimate.

Saying that the deferral of the polls will only make the monarchy stronger, he claimed that the polls will be held.

He said that a democratic republic will be established here.

Secretariat member of the CPN (Maoist) Top Bahadur Rayamajhi said it is high time that the seven parties quit the blame game and asserted that the CA polls will be held on April 10 anyhow.

“The government will be sacked if the constituent assembly polls are deferred again”, he said. He urged the warring parties in the Tarai to come for peace talks.

President of the Left Front CP Mainali said class conflict has gripped the Tarai, claiming that a move is afoot to address this problem.

Vice chairman of the Janamorcha Nepal Karna Dhoj KC said the seven parties should not indulge in an unhealthy competition. Central member of the Nepal Workers’ and Peasants’ Party Prem Suwal said the drive to build a new Nepal may not be realised unless old structures are demolished.

Thousands of people from Kapilvastu, Nawalparasi, Palpa and Rupandehi districts took part in the meeting. Security along the Indo-Nepal border and different parts of Rupandehi district was tightened to avert untoward incidents.