Kathmandu, March 8
CPN-UML leaders met Prime Minister Prachanda on Wednesday and urged that his government probe the Saptari killings.
They made this demand during a meeting with PM at Baluwatar. At the same time, they warned that the government should not postpone local level elections slated for May 14. After the killing of four UDMF cadres in the Saptari incident, UML leaders postponed their Mechi-Mahakali Campaign for three days and returned to Kathmandu. During Wednesday’s meeting, leaders from the ruling CPN-Maoist Centre, of which Prachanda is the chairman, were also in attendance. Earlier in the day, UDMF leaders gave PM seven days to amend the Constitution and put the elections on hold.
At the meeting, Prachanda said the UML delegation that he had received a seven-day ultimatum from UDMF leaders to postpone the polls and amend the Constitution. He has stressed the need for all parties to move ahead by holding discussions.
A leader attending the meeting said: UML leaders said the government cannot reschedule elections. Prime Minister has also said elections will take place.
Do a rethink: Prachanda
PM Prachanda also advised the UML to do a rethink on the Mechi-Mahakali campaign. The government will provide security if the UML says it will continue with the campaign, Prachanda said, adding that it will be appropriate to put the campaign on hold for 2-4 days in view of recent political developments. The UML had kicked off the campaign from Jhapa four days ago, only to put in hold after the Saptari incident. It is continuing with the campaign from Hetaunda from May 9.
