Kathmandu, January 13:

Minister of State for Information and Communications Shrish Shumsher JB Rana has said that the upcoming municipal elections would be held with extensive people’s participation.

Speaking at a reception organised by the Gorkhapatra Corporation here today, Minister of State Rana said though some political parties may not be satisfied, it is certain that the elections would be successful, as the people have faith over elections.

Minister of State Rana also said that the government would play its part as much as possible in increasing people’s participation in the elections.

At the question-answer programme held on the occasion, Minister of State Rana said under the present constitution, the King is above politics and added that it would be undemocratic and unconstitutional to try to take the King as a political competitor.

Minister Rana said the King has been playing the present role so that the constitutional forces work as per the constitution.

Minister of State Rana said nobody should become the carrier of foreign interests in the country. Responding to another query, Rana said the February 1 address by the King had appealed to those taking up weapons to join the national mainstream and added that though the government is ready to hold a dialogue with the Maoists, the dialogue cannot be held in a unilateral and one-sided manner.

The Royal Nepalese Army is working to safeguard the life of the people, Rana said.

He also said the government is working to amend the one-window policy of public advertisements so as to make it more systematic.

Meanwhile, a report from Nepalgunj quoted Minister for Local Development Tanka Dhakal as saying that the seven political parties, who have entered into an alliance with the Maoists for fulfilling their “partisan interest and self-centered motives at the bidding of foreigners”, could never be the advocate of democracy and nationality.