Kathmandu, December 26
Nepali Congress, a partner in the CPN-Maoist Centre-led ruling coalition, has urged the coalition to announce the date for elections. A major partner in the Prachanda-led government, Congress made this request as part of a four-point election plan that it presented at its meeting on Monday.
The CPN-UML will feel the pressure and the Parliament will resume if the government announces the date for elections
Monday’s joint meeting of Congress office-bearers and former office-bearers concluded that the main opposition CPN-UML will feel the pressure and the Parliament will resume if the government announces the date for elections.
Congress General Secretary Shashank Koirala said after the meeting: After announcing poll-date, the Parliament meeting will resume. Following the announcement, focus should be on introducing laws for conducting elections and giving full shape to the Election Commission.
What we think is we may find a way out after announcement of the poll date, Koirala said, adding: The UML should also bear in mind that conducting local elections is impossible without amending the Constitution.
He said: This means poll date should be announced, House obstruction ended, Election Commission given full shape and Constitution should be amended for elections (in that order).
This way, Congress leaders believe that the Parliament standoff will end once the government announces poll-date.
Congress Chief Whip Chin Kaji Shrestha expressed confidence that the UML will also be ready for amending relevant laws after announcement of poll-date.
Congress roadmap
- The government should announce poll-date first
- This will put pressure on CPN-UML to end House obstruction
- After the end of the House standofff, the government should give full shape to the Election Commission
- It should then amend the Constitution and introduce legal provisions to hold polls
