Hetauda, April 20

Rastriya Prajatantra Party Chairperson and Deputy Prime Minister Kamal Thapa today said local level elections could be held in the second phase in the Tarai if the agitating Madhesi parties agreed to participate.

Addressing a gathering of his party in Hetauda today, DPM Thapa claimed the ruling parties and the main opposition CPN-UML had reached an understanding on holding polls in Tarai in the second phase if Madhes-centric forces assured of their participation.

Minister Thapa urged all forces to take part in the polls. He said the country had been declared secular without holding adequate discussion among the parties. “The election is the election of the local government. Hence, it must be held,” said DPM Thapa. He claimed that his party was making efforts to develop Makawanpur as a model district of the country.

RPP senior leader Pashupati Shamsher Rana said rural municipalities and municipalities were now more powerful, and the government should create the atmosphere for the Madhesi front to participate in the elections.