UCPN-Maoist to exert pressure for November election

KATHMANDU: Although the Interim Election Government is indecisive about the date for elections of the constituent assembly, UCPN-Maoist, the largest party of the dissolved constituent assembly, has decided to pressure the election government to announce the date at the earliest and expedite the preparations.

A meeting of the party´s office bearers held at the residence of party Chairman Puspa Kamal Dahal in Lazimpat also decided to propose to the government to announce November 13 or 14 as the election date.

Vice-chairperson of the party Narayan Kaji Shrestha, who remained inactive in party activities following differences on the party’s stance on some important issues, said that the party will formally propose to the government to hold the CA elections on November 13 or 14 and try to build a consensus among other political parties on one of the two dates.

Although the four party mechanism has not been assisting the government to convince the dissatisfied groups for taking part in the election, the party decided to exert pressure on the government to announce the poll date at the earliest so that the existing political crisis won´t be prolonged any further. “We have no alternative but to go for polls, said Vice-chairman Shrestha. “There is no point delaying the announcement of the election date as the political parties are ready for the election.”

The meeting has decided to ask Nepali Congress President Sushil Koiral to call a meeting of the High Level Political Committee (HLPC) within one or two days. Koirala currently heads the HLPC that was formed to guide the government and facilitate the polls.

Party Chairman Dahal also formally briefed the meeting about his recent visit to India and meetings with various Indian leaders. Party vice-chairperson Shrestha has been expressing dissatisfaction over the party’s stance to look after India. The meeting likewise decided to postpone the central committee meeting of the party to June 2, citing the busy schedules of its senior leaders. The meeting had been scheduled for May 15.