KATHMANDU, Feb 22: In view of the upcoming elections, the main opposition party, CPN-UML, has announced details of their special Mechi-Mahakali campaign, which is starting from March 4. The UML's senior leaders including party chairman K P Sharma Oli will participate in the two-week long campaign.
The UML has directed all its district committees to make necessary logistical arrangements for food and lodge for at least 1,000 party cadres a day. The party will organize rallies at the headquarters of all districts in the Tarai-Madhes region.
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Party chairman Oli, senior leaders Jhala Nath Khanal and Madhav Kumar Nepal, vice chairmen duo Bam Dev Gautam and Asta Laxmi Shakya, General Secretary Ishwar Pokharel and standing committee members Subash Nembang, Chhabi Lal Biswakarma and Satya Narayan Mandal, among others, will participate in the rally. The party has decided to assign various central-level leaders for the , former and incumbent lawmakers and ministers as deemed necessary.
The decision of the UML comes at a time when its relations with the agitating Madhes-based political parties are said to have soured over the proposed amendments to the constitution. Party leaders said the campaign is aimed at clearing confusions that exist among the people in Madhes about the UML.
Addressing a function organized to inaguarate a separate office to oversee Mechi-Mahakali campaign at the party's headquarters, UML Chairman Oli said the Mechi-Mahakali campaign is not aimed against anyone in particular, and aims at strengthening democracy and national unity. While issuing a warning to all concerned not to obstruct their rallies, Oli also said the UML will reject any attempt to foil or disrupt their scheduled Mechi-Mahakali rally.
The UML is scheduled to hold mass rallies in Kakarbhitta, Biratchowk, Inaruwa, Rajbiraj, Kanchanpur, Golbazar, Janakpur, Bardibas, Haripur, Jitpur, Hetauda, Bhandara, Bharatpur and Kawasoti. The party will also hold mass rally in Bhumahi, Bhairahawa, Chandrauta, Lamahi, Ghorahi, Nepalgunj, Rajapur, Tikapur, Lamki, Dhangadhi before concluding the campaign in Mahendranagar.
Meanwhile, an informal meeting of the UML standing committee on Tuesday asked the government not to take ahead the constitution amendment bill. The meeting, however, has welcomed the government decision to announce date for local level election.
While asking the government to expedite necessary preparations including formulation of necessary laws to hold the poll, the UML has also demanded that the fresh election needs to be held as per the number of local units recommended by the local level restructuring commission (LLRC). The UML's position comes a day after the government decided to give additional seven days for the Task Force to further review the report submitted by the Local Level Restructuring Commission(LLRC).
