Separate visits by central leaders from the UCPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML to various districts has created an election wave at local levels. It seems they are already competing with each other to prepare for the new elections.[break]
In Dang, second-rung party leaders have turned up to foster an election environment favorable to their respective parties.
Ex-finance minister Barshaman Pun of UCPN (Maoist), NC Central Committee member Deepak Giri, UML Secretary Shankar Pokharel and politburo member Prakash Jwala have arrived in the district to intensify their election campaigns.
"Elections in June are certain and you comrades should prepare accordingly. Reach out to the grassroots without delay," Pun instructed cadres Sunday. He told reporters that he is visiting the western parts of the country to generate an election spirit.
NC´s Giri has been regularly addressing various election-related events for the last three days in home district Dang.
"Giri addressed various formal events and interacted with locals in remote villages," said NC member Bipul Pokharel. "He talked to locals to read the public expectations."
Similarly, UML Secretary Pokharel instructed local party members to be prepared for polls. "He suggested to us to be prepared for June elections," said UML District Chairman Narulal Chaudhary.
A separate group of second-rung UML leaders addressed a function in Chitwan, Monday. Chief of the party´s publicity department Pradeep Gyawali said the new election was going to go the UML´s way as it wasn´t like the previous CA elections when the "Maoists managed to coerce the public".
Ex-IGP wants to run for NC or UML
Former inspector general of police Pradeep Shamsher JB Rana disclosed on Monday that he wants to run for CA member from his home district Rautahat. A local of Bashitti Jingadiya village, Rana said local party members suggested to him to run in the coming election.
"I have made a great contribution to this district. I want to be a candidate from either NC or UML," said Rana. He said he is regularly in touch with UML leaders. A UML leader, preferring anonymity, said they are mulling over fielding Rana.
NC´s district leader Krishna Prasad Yadav, however, ruled out any possibility of Rana being an NC candidate, given that he hasn´t even acquired NC party membership so far.
Meanwhile, Mohan Baidya-led CPN-Maoist Secretary Dev Gurung said that any election planned solely by the four political forces -- UCPN (Maoist), NC, CPN-UML and the United Madhesi Democratic Front -- would not be acceptable to his party and to other political forces.
He compared the proposed polls to the election announced by then king Gyanendra just ahead of the April Movement of 2006 and which was boycotted by the major political parties.
"The proposed polls are not acceptable to us unless the 11-point political deal and the 25-point amendment to the interim constitution are scrapped altogether," said Gurung in Baglung.
But UML Secretary Pokharel claimed that the scheduled elections wouldn´t be deferred just because the CPN-Maoist threatens to disrupt them.
Stating that in the past also polls had been conducted despite hindrances from some political entities, he said it would be irrational to defer these polls just because of CPN-Maoist objections. "Polls have been conducted in the past amidst protests and boycott from some small political forces," Pokharel said in Dang, Monday.
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