Rajbiraj, June 10

Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal leader Rajendra Mahato today warned that holding the second phase of civic polls without amending the statute would invite a political disaster.

Speaking at a press meet organised in Rajbiraj, the district headquarters of Saptari, Mahato said that it was meaningless for the Madhesi people participate in the polls unless their demands were addressed.

“The Madhesi people are asking for their rights, not polls. So, the door to elections would only open for them when their rights are ensured,” Mahato said.

Mahato argued that it would not make any difference even if the polls were postponed by another 20 days. “The major political parties should stop ranting about holding the polls on June 28 as the local bodies have been without elected representatives for the past 20 years”, he said. It would be absurd to say that democracy would be in peril if the civic polls are not held this time, he added.

Mahato  also said that Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba’s promise to amend the statute after the civic polls was a false pledge. “Why can’t we amend the statute before the polls when it can be done after the elections?” he wondered.

Mahato made it clear that RJP-N would not participate in the polls unless their demands, including determination of local levels on the basis of population, were met. He said civic polls held without amending the statute would not be acceptable to his party.

Mahato further said that media reports that RJP-N was preparing to go to the polls were not true. “We are not preparing to become mayor and all. We are forming a struggle committee to fight for our rights,” Mahato said. He asked all not to have any illusion that civic polls would be held in the plains without amending the constitution.

At the programme, another RJP-N leader Rajkishor Yadav warned of  grave consequences if the polls were held forcibly.

He expressed hope that the government would not make a ‘mistake’ by holding the polls on June 28.