Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Federal Affairs and Local Development Kamal Thapa has said that the politics has taken a new turn after the agreement with Madhesi Morcha—an alliance of Madhes-centric political parties.

Addressing a press meet organised by Morang chapter of Rastriya Prajatnatra Party (RPP) on Sunday, Minister Thapa, who is also the chairman of RPP, said that if the agreement reached with the Madhesi alliance was implemented honestly, it would end the long-standing political deadlock in the country and prove to be a milestone for political outlet. He added the agreement would bring the Madhes-centric parties, who resorted to agitation to protest against their dissatisfaction with the new constitution, onboard the political mainstream and that would contribute to the peace, stability, democracy and nation’s development.

He hoped that the agreement reached with the Sanghiya Gathabandan would be implemented as the deal was negotiated by taking the CPN-UML into confidence.  He added that the CPN-UML would not obstruct the Madhesi Morcha to come into the political mainstream and join hands for the implementation of new constitution and building peace, stability and prosperity in the country.

He opined that the Naya Shakti Party should be taken positively and the Election Commission should provide practical election symbol for the party. He directed the district-based election officers to provide practical election symbol to the parties registered with the Election Commission.

He noted that only the national political parties had received election symbol and other political parties were allocated election symbols. Saying that though in principle the local units should be determined across the country based on population, he said that the local units have been increased only in certain provinces for now to address the demands of Madhesi Morcha.

He further said that the date for second-phase election woud be finalised only after discussion.