Dahal tells RJPN he'll quit this week

Published On: May 16, 2017 02:00 AM NPT By: Republica  | @RepublicaNepal


The second phase of the elections on June 14 will be held during the tenure of NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba.
KATHMANDU, May 16: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that he will step down from the post this week. 

During a meeting with Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN) leaders at his official residence at Baluwatar on Monday morning, Prime Minister Dahal informed them that he is stepping down as per the understanding reached with the coalition partner, Nepali Congress (NC). 

“The prime minister had invited us to hold discussions for holding the second phase of the polls. He informed that he is stepping down from the government as per the understanding reached earlier with the Nepali Congress,” one of the members of the RJPN presidium, Rajendra Mahato, told Republica.

Dahal, however, had clarified that the current coalition would continue even if Dahal hands over the government leadership to NC. The second phase of the elections on June 14 will be held during the tenure of NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba.

According to Mahato, Dahal had asked how he could create environment for holding local polls in the tarai districts in the second phase. In reply, the RJPN leaders had asked the government to endorse the constitution amendment bill that is already in parliament and create conducive environment for the polls.
 
In response, Prime Minister Dahal had said that the government would leave no stone unturned to ensure endorsement of the bill, which the government plans to put to vote on Thursday. Dahal also asked RJPN leaders to seek support from the Rastriya Prajatantra Party for the bill's endorsement.
 
An attempt by the government to endorse the bill before the first phase of the local polls had failed as 10 lawmakers from the RPP skipped a parliament meeting apparently to avoid voting in favor of the amendment bill. “The prime minister has asked us to participate in the polls no matter what the fate of the amendment bill,” said Mahato.
 
On the occasion, Madhesi leaders had raised the issue of withdrawal of police cases against their cadres, compensation for those killed or injured and martyrs' status for those killed in the course of the Madhes agitation. While informing that the government had already released Rs 120 million for the purpose of compensation, Prime Minister Dahal had said that the next cabinet meeting would declare those killed as martyrs and release the Madhesi party cadres from jail.
 
RJPN to register with EC on Wednesday

The newly-formed RJPN has decided to register with the Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday. 

According to RJPN leader Keshav Jha, they have decided to register with the EC on Wednesday to participate in the second phase of the local elections scheduled for June 14. RJPN had earlier announced that it would hold a series of anti-poll protest if the amendment bill is not endorsed by Wednesday. 

RJPN is under pressure to participate in the local poll as another key Madhes-based party, Federal Socialist Forum Nepal (FSFN) led by Upendra Yadav, has already decided to participate in the polls.


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