KATHMANDU, Aug 11: Former Prime Minister and CPN-UML Chairman K P Sharma Oli said that he senses a conspiracy to push the country toward a constitutional and political vacuum by not holding three elections by January 2018.

He criticized the ruling Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN (Maoist Center) for postponing the local elections to April 2017 which his government had planned to conclude by November 2016. He claimed that leaders in the new coalition decided to defer the elections with a plan to create the same void.

Oli argued there will be a constitutional vacuum if the government fails to work sincerely as per the new constitution. “I sense that our country is being pushed toward a constitutional vacuum. This situation will arise mainly if the three elections - central, provincial and local levels -- are not held by January 2018,” he said at an interaction organized at the UML party office in Kathmandu on Wednesday.

He recalled the political confusion that was created after the then Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai dissolved the Constituent Assembly in 2012.

After that the parties had to agree to appoint sitting chief justice as head of the election government to end the constitutional and political vacuum.

Conspiracies are being hatched to create similar situation again by not holding elections within the deadline given in the new constitution.

As per the new constitution the tenure of the current parliament expires in January 2018.

“We had planned to hold local elections by November and my government had been working to conclude all the [central, provincial and local] elections in time as per an action plan entitled constitutional implementation work plan. But NC and Maoists have now reached an agreement with the Madhes-based political parties to hold local elections only in April, which casts doubt about their intention in holding elections,” said Oli.

He also accused the ruling parties of working being directed from somewhere else rather than using their own mind. He claimed that they couldn't work together with other political parties on major issues as they are directed by somewhere else.

Asked about whether UML will help to amend the new constitution to address the demands raised by agitating Madhes-based political parties, Oli said that UML will first study the amendment proposal.
 
Stating that Madhes-based political parties had a single agenda of removing him from the prime ministerial position, Oli said that UML however, wouldn't engage in the politics of revenge.

He added that the plan to topple his government was part of a conspiracy to weaken the country.

 
• former prime minister and cpn-uml chairman k p sharma oli
 
• conspiracy
 
• constitutional and political vacuum
 
• three elections