Kathmandu, January 12
Prime Minister Prachanda’s chief political adviser Chakrapani Khanal ‘Baldev’ said on Thursday the government will announce the date for elections within the next 10 days.
Khanal, speaking at a face-to-face at Reporters’ Club Nepal, said: Within the next 10 days, we will announce the date for elections. After that, we will move ahead by passing the Constitution Amendment Bill (through the House). Only after the passage of the Bill will the political crisis end.
There are some minor issues related to the report of the Local Level Restructuring Commission, he said, stressing the need to go for elections on the basis of a new framework by reaching a political understanding. Khanal, a leader of the ruling CPN-Maoist Centre, said they will initiate the process for conducting elections only after passage of the Bill. He said: We all should focus on elections now.
Nepali Congress leader Min Bishwakarma said election date will be announced within the first week of Magh (about a week from now). Constitution amendment will lead to creation of an environment in which all parties can take part in elections, Bishwakarma said.
If local elections take place within Jeth (around mid-May, 2017), other two elections — provincial and federal elections — can be conducted in Kartik-Mangsir (around November, 1017). He said: CPN-UML is on the right path now. We have to pass and adopt the Constitution Amendment Bill, there’s no doubt that the Bill was pass through the Parliament.
At the programme, CPN-UML leader Rabhu Bir Mahaseth accused the government of conspiring against polls in the name of the Amendment Bill. He said: There’s no doubt that Madheshi Morcha should be taken into confidence, but then the Morcha itself has not been consistent on its stance.
Mahaseth added that they don’t believe the government will be able to hold local polls within Jeth, 2074.
Morcha leader Anil Jha said they are not stand against the government plan to conduct elections. He said: We are not opposing the polls. The Amendment Bill has been tabled in the Parliament. Those who want elections should ensure passage of the Bill.
