If Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s statement of January 22 were to be followed, he should have declared the dates for local elections on Saturday.

PM Dahal’s own deadline has ended now. And it is unclear when the dates will be announced.

While speaking at a book launch programme on January 22, PM Dahal had said as a leader of “a rebellion party” and a party that is signatory to the peace process, “I have to take some bold decisions”.

“The government will announce dates for local polls in six days even if the move fails to please everyone,” he had said.

In subsequent days also PM Dahal on several occasions said that local elections would be held by mid-May and that “an agreement with all parties” has been reached for the same. The “all parties” included the main opposition CPN-UML and agitating Madhes-based forces.

Madhes-based parties on Saturday decided to hold mass demonstrations in Tarai districts on February 5, in a clear  indication that they are not part of “the agreement” PM Dahal had been talking about.

When the Post enquired about “the agreement”, UML Secretary Pradip Gyawali said at a meeting on January 21, the main opposition had urged PM Dahal to accomplish four tasks—endorse election related bills, form a constituency delimitation commission, implement the Local Level Restructuring Commission’s report and declare the dates for local polls.

Besides, the UML’s earlier stance on the constitution amendment bill remains the same. It is demanding that the government withdraw the amendment bill.

Gyawali said the UML would be ready to discuss further only after government accomplishes the four major tasks. None of them has been completed as of now.