Despite pressure from the Local Level Restructuring Commission, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal is not in a mood to receive the final restructuring report without agreement with the Nepali Congress and the Madhesi parties.

The Madhesi parties have stood against the commission ever since its formation in March while the NC does not want to annoy them by supporting the LLRC report.

Following several requests, PM Dahal had promised to meet Commission Chairman Balananda Poudel on Tuesday to discuss the report and when to receive it. However, the PM cancelled the meeting citing his meetings with the parties.

The NC, the largest party in Parliament, has been vocal of late about holding the local polls in the existing structure. It argues that restructuring by the commission not acceptable to the dissenting Madhesi parties would create hurdles in holding the election.

If the local elections are to be held in the existing structure, the government should keep the restructuring report at bay. According to Article 303 of the constitution, the local bodies cease to exist after the LLRC submits its report to the government.

“The PM said he was too busy to meet the LLRC chairman,” said Sunil Rajan Singh, a member of the commission.

The commission registered a letter at the Prime Minister’s Office on Monday seeking the PM’s time to receive the report.

Chakra Pani Khanal, political adviser to the PM, said Dahal wants broader political consensus on the report before receiving it. Stating that the commission’s work in many districts including those in Province 2 has become controversial,

Khanal said the PM would first hold consultation with the parties.

“The PM first wants to make sure the restructuring criteria are justifiable as there is no room for change once the report is received,” he told the Post.