At a time when the government is making efforts to break the deadlock in order to get the Madhesi Morcha on board the local elections, top leaders of two major parties—KP Sharma Oli and Sher Bahadur Deuba—have left the Capital.

CPN-UML Chairman Oli left for Bangkok on Saturday on a weeklong trip for what party leaders said a follow-up treatment. Oli’s visit has been closely watched due to perceptions that Nepali leaders often visit Bangkok or Singapore to meet representatives of foreign intelligence units in the name of health check-ups.

Oli’s aide Pramod Dahal, however, said the former prime minister planned a whole body examination in the Thai capital. Since Oli, a kidney patient, was involved in a hectic Mechi-Mahakali campaign and regular activities of the party, he decided to go for medical care even though he felt no serious complications.

Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba is leaving for the Far West to attend the party’s programmes. He would remain there for five days. According to a close aide, the NC chief would attend the party’s functions in several districts. On Friday, the Congress chief told Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal to continue with the preparations for amending the constitution in consultation with the Morcha and the UML.

Vote at one go: Oli

KATHMANDU: CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli has said that local polls should be held in one phase. 

Talking to reporters at the Tribhuvan Inter-national Airport before leaving for Bangkok on Saturday, Oli claimed that the local polls would be held at one go on May 14.

He clarified that his party could not imagine the postponement of the local polls or holding it in two phases.

The ruling CPN (Maoist Centre) and the Nepali Congress have been saying that the local polls could be held in two phases if the Madhesi Morcha is ready to participate in the election as constitutional amendments would take time to pass. (PR)