Kathmandu, November 30

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal today said his government was mulling holding local elections either in the second or third week of April 2017 and he sought to build consensus among all major political forces for the same.

The main opposition CPN-UML, however, cast doubt on the prospects of holding election during that time. UML also charged that the government had invited political turmoil by tabling the constitution amendment bill in the Parliament without considering its implications.

In a meeting with senior leaders of the four major political parties Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, CPN-Maoist Centre, and RPP PM Dahal sought positive support from all the parties, mainly from the main opposition to conduct local elections on the stipulated date, according to the prime minister’s Press Adviser Govinda Acharya.

Dahal and senior CPN-MC leader Narayan Kaji Shrestha, Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Bimalendra Nidhi and Ram Sharan Mahat; UML leaders Bam Dev Gautam, Bhim Rawal and Agni Kharel; and RPP’s Kamal Thapa attended the meeting.

Dahal further said that the Local Bodies Restructuring Commission was going to submit its report soon, and encouraged all forces to join hands for the polls.

“The government has tabled the constitution amendment bill in the Parliament to bring agitating Madhesi-Janajati parties on board the election,” Acharya quoted PM Dahal as saying.

“Whether the amendment motion will be passed or not, lets join hands for holding elections.” He reiterated that timely election was critical for the smooth implementation of the constitution.

Without Madhesi parties’ support, local bodies’ election couldn’t be held, therefore amendment motion was essential to address their concerns, he reiterated.

According to UML Vice-chair Bhim Rawal, his party leaders told the PM that the UML was never against local polls. “But we asked the PM why he did not discuss local polls with us before registering the constitution amendment bill and why he was raising the issue now when the situation had deteriorated after the bill was moved in the Parliament,” Rawal said.

He added that he told the PM that the government should not spread rumours that the UML was not in favour of elections.

As far as the constitution amendment bill is concerned, we have decided to obstruct the Parliament. That is a different context,” Rawal said and added that UML leaders told the PM that they had opposed the government’s decision to register the constitution amendment bill and the United Democratic Madhesi Front had opposed the bill.

Meanwhile, PM Dahal also held discussion with MJF-Democratic leader Bijaya Kumar Gachadar, and sought help to hold elections in April smoothly.

It’s learnt that the PM will also reach out to other Madhesi leaders tomorrow on the same issue.

‘Country heading towards polls’

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal today said that the country was headed towards election after the government registered the constitution amendment bill yesterday.

He said this to leaders associated with All Nepal Women’s Association (Revolutionary) who met him this morning, according to a press release issued by the PM’s Secretariat.

“Strengthening unity among the people of mountains, hills and the Tarai is the government’s priority,” he said and added that the newly registered constitution amendment bill reflected national unity.

“We cannot imagine anything that goes against the interest of the country. Those who oppose the bill are opposing national unity. Now the country will head towards elections,” the release quoted the PM .

The PM, however, said the government would continue its efforts to forge consensus among political parties.

The women leaders urged the PM to ensure proportional representation of women in all organs of the state as per the provisions of the constitution.

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