KATHMANDU, Dec 26: Arguing that the continued House obstruction by the opposition parties could derail the entire course of Nepali politics, the ruling Nepali Congress (NC) leaders have pointed to the need to put pressure on the CPN-UML to lift the House obstruction at the earliest.

A meeting of the party's senior leaders held on Sunday to discuss the current political situation including the constitution amendment bill in parliament concluded that the announcement of local election date could put ample pressure on the CPN-UML to withdraw the ongoing House obstruction. 

According to NC CWC member Dr Shekhar Koirala, all leaders argued that the party should put efforts to create conducive environment for holding the election at the earliest. “Election is a must. The meeting concluded that the party should take initiative to hold elections,” he said.

Most NC leaders speaking on the occasion had argued that the party should put pressure on the UML for the withdrawal of House obstruction. They maintained that the announcement of the local election date could put adequate pressure on the opposition parties.  

Although there was unanimity among the NC leaders to hold the local poll, the leaders differed over whether to hold the local elections under the exisiting setup or federal setup. Those arguing against holding the poll under existing local structures argued that this would not only entail constitution amendment in five different Articles, but would also send out negative message about the ruling parties' commitment to federalism.

Some NC leaders had even doubted the intention of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal if he was really committed to holding election. They had pointed out the need to put pressure on announcing the date of holding the local poll either under the existing the structures or under the new structure under federal set up. 

According to leaders participated in the meeting, most of the leaders had rejected the opposition demand for withdrawal of the bill. They instead insisted that NC top leadership should convince the UML into ending the House obstruction for keeping the country on its political course and solicit support from the agitating Madhes-based parties for the amendment proposal without any further revision.

Talking to media persons after the meeting, NC senior leader Ram Chandra Paudel said all leaders are unanimous that there should be local elections at the earliest. “Since we have to hold three different elections within a short span of time, it is better to hold local election under the existing structure,” said Paudel. 

The meeting called by the party president Sher Bahadur Deuba was participated by a number of senior leaders including Paudel, General Secretary Shashank Koirala, treasurer Sita Devi Yadav, Bimalendra Nidhi, Prakash Man Singh, Shekhar Koirala, Krishna Sitaula, N P Saud, Purna Bahadur Khadka, Minendra Rijal, Mahesh Acharya and Chandra Bhandari. The NC meeting will continue on Monday as many NC leaders have yet to air their views.

 
• house obstruction
 
• local polls