Calls for locals polls under exisiting setup
KATHMANDU, Oct 17: Nepali Congress (NC) leader Ram Saran Mahat has expressed serious discontent with the Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal over the latter's approach to work.
Mahat accused Dahal of not consulting the ruling partner NC on constitution amendment issues and doling out promises instead of focusing on the reconstruction work and other urgent tasks. Speaking at an interaction at the Reporter's Club Sunday, Mahat alleged that Dahal has not consulted major ruling coalition partner on key issues even two months after the formation of the new government.
“The opposition CPN-UML is accusing the government of not consulting them on the issue of constitution amendment, but prime minister has not even consulted the major ruling partner so far,” said Mahat. He further said that the issue of constitution
amendment should be settled with the agitating parties through 'quiet diplomacy'. Mahat also said that NC is for amending the new constitution only if such an amendment is called for.
Mahat also criticized Dahal for 'making lots of promises to the public without laying ground for fulfillment. “We will discuss these issues at our party's meeting soon,” said Mahat.
Vehicle in Mahat's poll campaign ambushed, five injured
On a different note, Mahat said that local polls by mid-April are not possible after concluding the delineation process of local units. “The deadline of the local restructuring commission should be extended because the issue requires intensive study and deliberations. The local polls can be held under the existing local setup,” he said. He further said that the number of local units shouldn't exceed more than 75 if they are to be granted all constitutional authorities.
“We cannot grant all the authorities to the local units if we create 565 local units, or around 900 as proposed by our party,” said Mahat. He also suggested granting more authority to the districts for the interim period through amendment to the new constitution.
