One should not get surprised if the three major political parties will come to consensus in the near future to save their face as they did in the past (“Parties mull face-saving formula for consensus”, THT, January 3, Page 1).

Looking closely at the ongoing political dialogue among these major parties, there seems to be a chance of the government withdrawing its bill related to constitution amendment and holding the three tiers of elections before January 21, 2018. Both the government and the opposition seem to be softening their stands.

There is no alternative for them to forging consensus and going for the elections. Otherwise, there will be a political and constitutional crisis in the country if they fail to implement the new constitution.

However, the UML-led opposition parties have continued to obstruct the House proceedings for the last one month to exert pressure on the coalition government to withdraw the amendment bill.

On the other hand, the UDMF wants the constitution to be amended in accordance with their demand before going for the local elections. This contradictory political situation has put the Dahal-led government in confusion.

UDMF has started staging protests warning the government not to undermine their voices (“UDMF’s warning rally”, THT, January 3, Page 5). Likewise, the Tharuhat/Tharuwan Joint Struggle Committee has announced the second phase of protest programme demanding a separate Tharuhat province (“Tharuhat announces more protests”, THT January 3, Page 5).

This indicates that the political situation in Nepal does not seem favourable in the coming days. If the government continues to take its stand for constitution amendment without addressing the demands of the agitating parties, the chances of political instability in Nepal seem unavoidable.

All the political parties, i.e. those that are in the parliament, have no other choices besides coming to consensus and holding the local elections within the next one year.

Time is running out for them. They should be ready to sit on the negotiating table and thrash out political differences leaving aside their political egos.

Otherwise, all of them will lose the game and somebody with a hammer in its hand will come to the political surface putting the political existence of the major political parties in limbo.

Rai Biren Bangdel, Maharajgunj

Dusty roads

Leaders do not know where the pollution comes from. It is very simple to understand as the Kathmandu roads are full of dust. Cars and motorcycles spread the dust in the air, which makes all houses polluted and dusty.

Construction of roads must be completed within deadline and roads must be vacuum cleaned after the roads are black-topped. The government must declare illegal the construction materials stored on the roadsides.

The dust particles have made an adverse effect on public health. The patients suffering from respiratory problems have risen almost by 25 percent in the Kathmandu Valley.

Will the government listen to our plight and do the needful to blacktop the roads already dug?

Lopsang Tuladhar, Kathmandu