The Rastriya Janta Party  Nepal (RJP-N) missed the deadline, June 13, set by the Election Commission for submitting documents required for participating in the second phase of local level elections “RJP-N misses EC deadline to submit documents” (THT, June 13, Page1). This indicates that the Deuba-led government needs to cautiously tackle the political situation. If it fails to bring disgruntled Madhes-based political parties on board and make them participate in the upcoming local level elections, the country may face problems. It’s been almost 21 months since the new constitution was promulgated. Since then, Madhes-based parties are protesting against some elements of the new constitution and asking the government for their amendment. Last year, the government had amended the constitution without taking them into confidence. Now, there does not seem enough time on hand for the government to amend the constitution as demanded by the RJP-N. The ruling parties continue to say that the date set for the second phase election will not be changed. On the other hand, RJP-N keeps saying that it will not participate in the election until the government amends the constitution. Where is the comprising point for both the government and RJP-N? Election fever has started gripping some of the districts creating confusions among the local population “Election fever grips Biratnagar metropolis” (THT, June 13, Page 5). The opposition led by the UML has now started blaming both the ruling parties and the RJP-N for playing foul games by trying to defer the upcoming polls. It is the UML that does not want to budge from its political stand of not to amend the constitution.

The government needs a two-thirds majority for the constitution amendment which is not possible until the UML joins hands.

Rai Biren Bangdel, Maharajgunj

Animals

This is in response to the news story “Australia builds outback electrified fence to protect native animals” (THT, June 13, Online). It is quite interesting and also a sort of moral-dilemma here in Australia when it comes to decimate some sort of animals to protect other engendered animals. The value of live is equal for every species. There has been a public uproar about this particular issue among animal rights activists.  However, it is a national choice for the state to even the score for making the right balance of the ecosystem in order to protect the lives of all species in land and water. Now this move is taken in a positive light here in Australia. It is also good news that Australia is on the verge of becoming an exemplary nation in the world by doing so.  In the context of Nepal, what can we do to protect the animals of all kingdoms. This is a great lesson that can be learnt because here in Australia there is a big community connected with such projects of the Australian government.

Shiva Neupane, Melbourne