Rajbiraj, August 11

Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal Chairperson Upendra Yadav today said parliamentary polls should not be held before provincial elections.

Speaking at a press meet in Rajbiraj, Chair Yadav, who came here for publicity of the third round of local level elections slated for September 18, argued that holding parliamentary polls before the provincial elections would put federalism at risk.

“The CPN-UML is always against federalism. If the Nepali Congress also takes a similar stand, that will be the most unfortunate thing that could happen in the country,” argued Yadav adding,

“The local level elections were held first due to stubbornness of the major political forces though the experts had suggested holding parliamentary elections first followed by federal and local elections. Everything should be done following necessary process,” said Yadav.

Reiterating the demand for constitution amendment, he urged the government to fulfil the three- point agreement signed with them at the time of government formation. He accused the government of trying to create misunderstanding among Madhes centric forces by postponing the local level elections in eight districts of Province 2.

Meanwhile, Chair Yadav drew the attention of the government towards the hundreds of families displaced by floods in Saptari and demanded immediate relief and rehabilitation of the victims and compensation to farmers. He underscored the need for Chure conservation and long-term solution to floods in the Tarai.