“The regressive forces have abducted the Constitution Assembly (CA) in the name of drafting the new constitution through process,” said Bhattarai during an interaction with journalists at Libang, Rolpa on Tuesday. “NC, UML are among the leaders to abduct the CA.”

Former Prime Minister Bhattarai, who arrived here in Rolpa to head the protest announced by the alliance of 30 opposition parties, alleged that NC and UML have united and have been trying to corner the UCPN (Maoist). He also accused the ruling parties of doing a ‘malicious’ politics in the name of drafting constitution through process.

Bhattarai dubbed UML Chairman KP Oli and NC President Sushil Koirala as new ‘Junga Bahadurs’, hinting at the first Rana prime minster, who usurped the executive power from the then King. He accused that they [Oli and Koirala] were dreaming of ‘Jungi rule’ after coming to power.

He further said that the ruling parties were unilaterally reiterating for voting process although Interim Constitution provisions for consensus based constitution. “The ruling parties have eliminated the "possibility of consensuses" by themselves," said Bhattarai. He said a path of consensus could be sought if the ruling parties give up their stand of drafting the new constitution through process.

Terming Rolpa as the epicenter of People’s War, Bhattarai said the ruling parties have been given ultimatum till February 28 to seek consensus. He expressed his optimism that a new path of consensus might be sought after the nationwide demonstrations by 30-party opposition alliance on February 28.

Leader Bhattarai further said that their phase wise protest programmes were announced in order to pile pressure on the ruling parties to draft the constitution based on consensus. He claimed a ‘decisive movement’ will be held after February 28, if the ruling parties fail to address their demands by the deadline.