Leaders express different opinion about poll; Polls needed to strengthen democracy says Poudel

Biratnagar / March 4: With the announcement of the election of the local bodies, the political parties have been divided on whether the election should be held before the amendment of the constitution or after the amendment. In this connection leaders of different policital parties interpreted the election at their own way.

Nepali Congress senior leader Ram Chandra Poudel has said that elections would be held across the nation including Tarai-Madhes as per the aspirations of the people.

Talking to media persons in Biratnagar Airport today, leader Poudel said that all should concentrate on elections to strengthen the democracy.

He was of the view that local level polls were needed to safeguard democracy and federalism by protecting the achievements from the past people’s movement.

The Madhes-centric parties should put forward their demands by taking part in the election process and utilize the polls as an opportunity adding that the Madhes-centric parties must take part for the safeguard of federal democracy.

On the occasion, Poudel further said that none has the right to foil the political programmes of other political parties in a democracy.

Election indispensable for constitution implementation: Chair Gachchhadar

Meanwhile, chairman of the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (Democratic), Bijay Kumar Gachchhadar, has said that the election was indispensable for successful implementation of the constitution and to institutionalize political achievements.

Talking to media persons at Biratnagar Airport on Saturday, Chairman Gachchhadar pointed out the need of utilizing the election by all as the local poll was the first step of constitution implementation.

He stressed the need of bringing the disgruntled sides in the election even after forging minimum consensus, saying only election would establish political stability.

Chairman Gachchhadar also expressed the view that constitution amendment process and election process could be forwarded together.

Saying activities to disrupt the Mechi-Mahakali National Campaign launched by the CPN (UML) should not be carried out, he suggested political parties to be aware as political confrontation would take place in the country if the parties practised politics of negation.

Polls impossible unless Madhesi, Janajatis are accommodated: Dr. Bhattarai

Likewise, Naya Shakti Party Nepal coordinator Dr. Baburam Bhattarai on Saturday viewed that the election date set by the government was a ploy to put local people in the dark.

The polls would be meaningless unless an environment is created for Madhesi, Janajatis and indigenous nationalities to join in the polls.

“The elections are impossible unless the demarcation issue is settled,” said the former Prime Minister while speaking at a programme organised by Naya Shakti in Janakpurdham.

He also blamed ruling CPN (Maoist Centre) and main opposition CPN-UML for their inclination towards forming a power equation while suggesting that an all-party government was essential to give a way out of the existing political problems.

Election will be held after constitution amendment: Mahantha Thakur

Similarly, chairman of the Tarai-Madhes Loktantrik Party, Mahantha Thakur has reiterated that the election should be held only after getting the constitution amendment proposal passed from the parliament.

Speaking in the interaction programme organised by Reporters Club Nepal on Saturday, Thakur expressed concern the situation in the country might turn very ominous if the election is forced through like the constitution was enforced.

He stated that the government has committed a grave mistake by announcing the election date hurriedly. ‘The constitution amendment proposal should be passed; there is no alternative to it. The demands that we have put forth are not only that of the Madhes but of the whole nation. Therefore, the problems should be resolved first by amending the constitution then only the elections can take place,” leader Thakur added.

Pointing out the both the constitution amendment proposal and the election have become uncertain at present because of the government’s rash announcement of the election date, he said although the Madhes was the epicentre of every change in the country, Kathmandu was the centre of the authority and rule.

Referring to the Mechi-Mahakali Campaign started by the main opposition party, the CPN (UML), Thakur said it was ill-timed and would only lead to confrontation in the Madhes.

He stressed that the Madhesi people were only demanding their rights and change and not separation as has been wrongly publicised by some parties. RSS