The second phase elections in three provinces were held successfully and the counting of votes is almost over.

The UML has won more local levels than any single party. Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-Maoist Centre (CPN-MC) are in second and third positions, the Maoist Centre being far behind the Congress.

Now the focus of the government is gearing up to hold third phase polls in Province 2 on September 18, which is crucial for the ruling, opposition and disgruntled parties in terms of constitution implementation.

All the positive and productive efforts should be applied in order to fulfill the requirement for successfully holding this election. For this, the Deuba-led government should try its level best to bring Rastiya Janata Party-Nepal (RJP-N) on board.

One of its three demands is to amend the constitution, which the ruling parties are finding hard to do, “Bid to muster two-third majority in favour of bill” (THT, July 11, Page 1). Garnering two-thirds majority in the parliament to amend the constitution has been a tough challenge for the government. For this, the UML’s cooperation is vital.

So far, it does not seem positive and continues to publicly say that it will not support the constitution amendment process if the government goes for voting on the amendment bill in Parliament. Also, the UML wants the amendment bill submitted by the Dahal-led government three months ago to be taken back.

There does not seem any possibility for the ruling parties to get the amendment bill through the parliament. On the other hand, the Election Commission (EC) has requested the government to fix dates for the provincial and parliamentary elections and enact related laws on time.

These elections are to be held before January 21, 2018 in accordance with the new constitution.

Rai Biren Bangdel, Maharajgunj

Rumour

President Bidhya Devi Bhandari has been criticized in social media and online news because she has allegedly sought to buy a fleet of cars worth Rs 160 million.

The allegation in the social media regarding this issue has been proved false by Prime Minster Sher Bahadur Deuba. But this emerging situation has really aroused a painful sensation in the mind of everybody who is victimized by poverty, health, proper education and many other things if this allegation were true.

We cannot afford to buy such types of luxury cars even for a president. Being head of the nation, I don’t think she might have demanded that sum of money for her personal means of transportation. She knows her ground reality from where she has sprung to the highest political position.

She has very good knowledge about the country and the people. If the country was so rich it would not have been a financial burden for the government to purchase a fleet of luxury cars for a president. As far as I understand her, she did not ask for such expensive items which would bleed the country’s coffers unnecessarily.

PM Deuba himself has clarified this.

TN Bhandari, Budhanilkantha