“The country might be pushed into a serious crisis if the election is delayed. But I don´t see any possibility of a party-less system,” Bhattarai told reporters at an interaction organized by UCPN (Maoist)-affiliated journalists at Banepa on Sunday.[break]
He claimed that the present government was formed based on the 11-point political agreement and the accord clearly stated that polls would be held in the third week of June. “But the government didn´t announce the election date. Hence, the government breached the agreement in the very beginning,” Bhattarai, who stepped down from the prime ministerial position to pave the way for formation of the present government, expressed his dissatisfaction over unfolding developments.
Bhattarai claimed that the political agreement was reached to fix June 21 as the election date as per the suggestions of the candidates proposed for election commissioners. “We inked the agreement because they told us holding election on June 21 is technically possible. But they have now changed their voice. This is mysterious,” he said.
He, however, conceded that it has now become practically impossible to hold elections in June. “It is now pragmatic to hold election by the second or third week of November. But it shouldn´t be delayed further,” he said, adding that deferring the election further would invite a serious crisis in the country. He, however, didn´t divulge into the nature of such crisis.
Questioning the existence of the agitating CPN-Maoist-led 33-party alliance, Bhattarai said, “Please give me the names of the agitating parties other than those led by Mohan Baidya and UpendraYadav,” he asked the media persons. “This is my serious question. If you are saying that 33 parties have taken to the streets, you should be able to name them.”
He also said that the election would be held despite the threats of some agitating parties.
“The Mohan Baidya faction split from the UCPN-Maoist party because they differed over the party´s political line. Similarly, Upendra Yadav will join the election process. Therefore, election can´t be deferred under any pretext,” he said.
He also informed that initiatives are being taken to ensure representation of the Baidya-led party in the high-level political mechanism. “Discussions are under way on this issue,” he said.
Bhattarai arrived in Banepa from Bethan village in Ramechhap after staying one night at a Tamang family´s home on Saturday.
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