National
UML for second phase polls before budget
The CPN-UML has said that the second phase of polls after budget is not acceptable to the party.The CPN-UML has said that the second phase of polls after budget is not acceptable to the party.
In a bid to bring the agitating forces on board the poll process by amending the constitution as per their demand, the government has announced local level elections in two phases—the first one is scheduled for May 14 and the second one for June 14. As per the constitutional provision, the government must present the fiscal budget on May 29, about two weeks before the second phase of elections, and there are concerns that it could influence polls.
According to sources, UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli has proposed May 26 for the second phase of elections.
According to CPN (Maoist Centre) leader Narayan Kaji Shrestha, who was present during a meeting between Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Oli, the prime minister said that he would hold discussions with the Nepali Congress and the Sanghiya Gathabandhan about Oli’s proposal.
The Gathabandhan, an alliance of Upendra Yadav-led Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum-Nepal and Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (which was formed after merger of six Madhes-based parties), has set constitution amendment as its precondition for its participation in the second phase of polls.
Some Maoist Centre leaders claimed that the party is positive about concluding the local polls “as soon as possible”.
If the second phase elections are rescheduled for May 26—or earlier—there are concerns whether there will be enough time to amend the constitution.
On top of that, questions remain whether the Nepali Congress will agree to letting the Dahal government hold the second phase of polls as well. According to sources, NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba has been putting pressure on Dahal to hand over the government leadership immediately after the first phase of local elections.