Leaders of the Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal (RJP-N) have dubbed the second phase of local level elections slated for June 28 as a ‘mere drama’.

The RJP-N, which has opposed the June 28 local elections, has been protesting in the Tarai region demanding a redrawing of the provincial boundaries through 

an amendment to the constitution.

At a press meet organised in Bhairahawa on Sunday, RJP-N Chairmen Mahantha Thakur and Rajendra Mahato claimed that the elections being held without the participation of all political parties had no meaning.

“There had been an agreement to hold elections only after addressing the problems of Madhes but the government breached the understanding by unilaterally declaring the elections,” said leader Thakur.

“Now we have only two alternatives: either to surrender or resort to protests. We opted for the latter and have informed the government about this.”

Mahato claimed that the elections being held amid protests and arrests of hundreds of their party activists could not be democratic.

‘Conspiracy to kill RJP-N leaders’

Mahato accused the government of directing the security personnel to use disproportionate force with the intent to kill RJP-N leaders in Nwalparasi district.

“Bullets were fired in a conspiratorial manner with the intent to disrupt an assembly by blowing up the issue out of proportion,” said leader Mahato.

“The act of firing teargas and bullets at the dais has raised our suspicion it was a part of the conspiracy to kill us.” 

“Security personnel opened fire in Parasi at an RJP-N protest assembly although the situation did not warrant such an action. Where is the government trying to push the country by orchestrating such incident?” Thakur questioned. 

A clash ensued on Saturday between police personnel and RJP-N cadres during party’s protest rally in Parasi, the district headquarters of Nawalparasi, when the 

RJP-N cadres tried to set CPN-UML’s publicity materials on fire.

At least five persons were injured when police fired rubber bullets to disperse the protesters.