Parties differ on Threshold provision; Khanal says UML will remain firm on it

KATHMANDU: CPN-UML chairman Jhala Nath Khanal has made it clear that his party would not backtrack from its stance in favor of one percent threshold for the parties to get represented in the Constituent Assembly.

Talking to journalists at Biratnagar Airport on Saturday, UML Chairperson informed that an agreement between the parties to introduce the threshold has become absolutely necessary so as to make the CA dignified and effective.

The Election Commission has proposed one percent threshold, which is opposed by the UCPN-Maoist, Madhesi Front and the smaller parties, while UML and Nepali Congress have been backing the proposal.

He also added that the High Level Political Committee, formed to assist the government for holding the elections of the constituent assembly, will continue its efforts to bring disgruntled parties to the talks and hold the election by November-December with participating from all political parties.

Meanwhile addressing a function in the Capital on Saturday, UCPN-Maoist leader Top Bahadur Rayamajhi said the electoral ordinance should include the threshold provision for upcoming CA polls

According to him, exclusion of threshold will create a serious impact on the party-based politics in the long run. “Threshold provision is a must, its exclusion will invite serious problems,” he argued.

Rayamajhi expressed view against his party line as UCPN-Maoist has been standing against the threshold. He further stressed that the new CA should not contain more than 491 lawmakers.

However, the National Madhes Socialist Party (NMSP) Chairman Sharad Singh Bhandari argued that the threshold provision should be excluded to make the election meaningful. He insisted that the new polls are impossible unless their 13-point demands are fulfilled. Bhandari further stated that the “four-party syndicate” has no meaning.