Classrooms turned into kitchen for party's mass gathering

SAPTARI, Nov 11: Although leaders and cadres of various political parties are found delivering speeches on election codes and ethics at other times, during elections, they themselves are found crossing the line.
 
On Friday, Nepali Congress (NC) organized a lavish mass gathering and welcome program for the new members at two schools based in Dakneshwori Municipality of Saptari district. As per the law enforced by the Election Commission (EC), it is unethical to conduct election related programs at schools. But NC's function was conducted in the presence of a minister and some former lawmakers. The classes of students were widely affected due to the mass gathering. 

Jitendra Narayan Dev, Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism, was the chief guest of the function. Dev welcomed the new leaders and cadres to the party by putting Tika on their foreheads. According to Mahi Narayan Yadav, a teacher at Janata Secondary School, Khurkhuriya, classes were disturbed as the cadres of NC had already started setting stage and placing banners and hoardings on school premises from the first period. Teachers had to leave the students before time. The whole school was decorated with colorful flags and banners of the party and classrooms were used for cooking lunch for the cadres.

Surya Narayan Yadav, principal of the school didn't only share stage with the NC politicians but also requested the locals to vote for the party. Meanwhile, chairperson of the School Management Committee told that he was kept in the dark about the program. "I was shocked when I heard about it. I am planning to call a meeting with the principal to ask him about all this and probably will file a complaint at the higher level regarding this," he said.
 
 Chief District Officer (CDO) of Saptari, Bhagirath Pandey informed that he was completely unaware about the program and is collecting evidence to take action. "We have strictly warned all the political parties not to violate the election law and they have assured us that they won't," said CDO Pandey.

While speaking at a program in Rajbiraj, a few days ago, Chief Election Commissioner Ayodhee Prasad Yadav had instructed the election officers to take stern action against those violating the election laws.  

 
• political mass gathering
 
• school premises
 
• saptari