Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, January 28:

The district and zonal-level CPN-UML cadres’ meeting concluded here today with all districts opposing going for a general election in the given situation. The cadres also suggested that the Maoist problem should be solved in accordance with the nine-point roadmap approved by the party’s fifth central committee meeting.

Party sources said leaders from 37 districts insisted the party withdraw from the government immediately. Representatives from 11 districts remained absent from the four-day meeting called to take stock of the country’s current political situation. Towards the end, UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal said the party should be ready face national challenges, adding the government should be able to convince the people regarding the circumstances under which it has taken unpleasant decisions. A participant, quoting Nepal, said the central committee would take an appropriate decision regarding the elections.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bharat Mohan Adhikari, and Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Ishwar Pokharel, who was criticised by the cadres for raising the price of petroleum products, are learnt to have said they had to compromise on many issues as it was a coalition government. Pokharel was quoted as saying that the increased price of petroleum products could not be reversed as it was done under financial compulsion from the Nepal Oil Corporation. Asked whether the views voiced by senior cadres would have any effect on the central leadership, a standing committee member said, “It is merely a pressure on the leadership. But the fact is that neither the central committee nor the standing committee can dare decide to go for an election ignoring the views expressed.” Earlier today, Nepal had warned leaders against speaking in favour of or against the election till the central committee meeting comes up with a formal decision.