"We have to try our level best to bring Baidyaji´s CPN-Maoist in the election process but we also mustn´t defer the CA polls scheduled for November. However, we can´t afford to waste more time in the name of including a particular party in the process," said Nepali Congress (NC) leader Minendra Rijal at a function organized by CPN-UML´s wing Youth Association of Nepal in Kathmandu on Friday. [break]
He emphasized on the need for focusing all the energy of all the political parties toward creating an environment of election and making it successful for November polls.
He urged all echelons of the four major political forces -- UCPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress (NC), CPN-UML and United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) -- not to divert the debate. "We, at least, the members of the four major political forces shouldn´t waste time disputing whether or not Baidyaji´s party is joining the election process and whether the present government is able to conduct polls," said Rijal.
UCPN (Maoist) leader Barsha Man Pun seconded Rijal saying that top leaders from the major political parties have already shown maximum flexibility for bringing the Baidya-led group to the election process. "Our party chairman has already proposed with Baidyaji that we are open to various options such as forging a working alliance or reaching an understanding for securing certain seats for them if they join the election," said former Finance Minister Pun. "But if they aren´t ready to join the election process despite our sincere request and flexibility, we shouldn´t give undue importance for them."
He urged NC and UML leaders not to try to kowtow to Baidya group in the hope that Baidya´s participation in the election would cause some electoral loss to the UCPN (Maoist). "Such a tendency wouldn´t help in making the election process a success and it could prove counterproductive," he explained.
CPN-UML Secretary Shankar Pokharel however said that the major parties should make all efforts to bring Baidya on board the election process. "I believe that he [Baidya] knows it well that the present situation isn´t conducive for launching any kind of revolt in Nepal," said Pokharel. "I urge them [CPN-Maoist leaders] not to shy away from going to the public and getting people´s mandate."
Earlier at the same function, CPN-UML spokesman Pradeep Gyawali emphasized on the need for making the upcoming election more economical and for discouraging the trend of pomp and show in the election campaign.
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