National
RJP-N proposes postponing poll date again
The Rastriya Janata party-Nepal (RJP-N) has indicated that it is not ready to take part in the second phase of local level elections without getting its demands including constitution amendment met first.The Rastriya Janata party-Nepal (RJP-N) has indicated that it is not ready to take part in the second phase of local level elections without getting its demands including constitution amendment met first.
In a meeting with the ruling parties—Nepali Congress and CPN (Maoist Centre)—in Singha Durbar on Saturday, the RJP leaders reiterated its position not to come on board for the local level elections slated for June 28.
The meeting participated by Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, among other leaders, ended inconclusively after the RJPN demanded the government put off the second phase polls.
The RJP-Nepal, formed after the merger of six Madhes-based parties, asked the ruling parties to postpone the date of local level election in order to address its demands.
"RJP leaders proposed postponing the election if a conducive environment could be created for them to join the elections. But the ruling parties made it clear that it would not possible," said CPN (Maoist Centre) leader Narayan Kaji Shrestha.
According to him, the ruling party leaders expressed readiness to hold consultaiton with Election Commission to resolve the problem if there were any other other technical problems.
He said the next meeting would be held on Sunday morning.
Senior NC leader Ram Chandra Poudel said further talks would be held as the agitating RJP-N has been refusing to participate in the elections under the status quo.
Earlier, the government had decided to hold the local level elections, initially slated for May 14, in two-phase in order to bring the RJP-N on board the election.
Addressing the Legislature-Parliament on Friday, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba had assured to amend the constitution as demanded by the Madhes-based parties only after conducting the second phase local polls. He also acknowledged the importance of addressing the demands of disgruntled parties in order to broaden the ownership of the new constitution.
Prior to Deuba’s election as the new Prime Minster, NC and CPN (Maoist Centre) had signed a three-point deal with the RJP-N according to which the latter voted for Deuba in the parliamentary process held on Tuesday.