Accusing the UCPN (Maoist) leaders of not signing any political deal in March to prolong their stay in the previous government, Khanal said, “Had the Maoists wanted polls in June, they would have signed a deal earlier but we could reach an agreement only on March 13 due to non-cooperation from the Maoists,” Khanal told media persons at an interaction organized by Reporters Club Nepal on Sunday.[break]
Khanal described UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal´s threat to foil polls as “nonsense”. Dahal while addressing the party´s mass gathering in Dhading on Saturday had said that his party was for holding polls in summer and not in winter.
Khanal argued that the present government should fix the election date only if there is certainty over the conduct of polls and not on unrealistic grounds. He maintained that there is no point in fixing an unrealistic date. The Baburam Bhattarai-led government had also announced election for November 22 last year, but later postponed it for April third week this year.
Khanal argued that it takes time to create an environment for election because various election-related works - distributing citizenship certificates, updating voters list, amending election laws, arranging necessary human resources and equipment for polls -- are yet to be completed.
He also said holding election in summer is also unrealistic in view of some the protests by some dissident political parties. He said an election would be announced within the next couple of days.
Responding a query on the protests launched by the CPN-Maoist-led alliance, Khanal said it is possible to settle the differences through negotiations.
Khanal rubbished UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal´s claim that his party would secure two-thirds majority in the polls. He suggested to the Maoist leaders not to make unconvincing claims “because the Maoists have already been exposed and it was not possible for them to fool the people”.
Related story
Experiences of summer splash
-1200x560-1773818828.webp)
-1773673205.webp)
