Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba said on Wednesday that local elections should be held under the present structure, as “a lot needs to be done” for holding the polls under the new local structure proposed by the restructuring commission. 

At a programme organised to mark the first death anniversary of former party president and prime minister Sushil Koirala, Deuba added that wider political consensus will be required to hold the elections on the old template and hence they could be conducted on the basis of sectors (Ilakas).

Senior NC leader Ramchandra Poudel also echoed Deuba. 

Stating that the report of the Local Level Restructuring Commission has been opposed in some districts, Poudel said it would be difficult to hold local elections on the basis of the LLRC report. 

“By using the transitional provision of the new constitution, we have to hold the elections to the local bodies in the old format by amending the constitution,” he said. “Even Madhes-based parties have objected to the LLRC report.” 

At Wednesday’s programme, senior party leaders remembered Koirala as a true political leader. Koirala had played a crucial role as the prime minister in promulgating that the constitution in 2015. Implementation of the constitution in an effective manner and three levels of elections by the constitutional deadline will be a true tribute to the late leader, the NC leaders said. 

Koirala died on the night of February 9 last year at the age of 78. The country could get the constitution because of Koirala’s sheer determination and continued efforts. Koirala dedicated his entire life to the struggle for the cause of democracy and he was a successful leader, said Deuba. 

Party General Secretary Shashank Koirala, party Treasurer and Minister for Peace and Reconstruction Sitadevi Yadav and other senior leaders including Prakashman Singh, Krishna Prasad Sitaula and Gopalman Shrestha highlighted the contribution made by Koirala in strengthening the party and his sacrifice for the welfare of the nation and people.