Nepal Govt.'s meeting with UDMF ends sans agreement

By Binod Prasad Adhikari Kathmandu [Nepal], Feb. 19 (ANI): Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal's government's attempt to bring agitating parties to the negotiating table for an agreement on when to hold elections has ended with a no- no agreement. Dahal, who is in intention to declare the date for local polls on Sunday, had called all the leaders of agitating United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) and the Federal Alliance on Saturday to bring them to the table of agreement to announce the election date. But the leaders of agitating parties rejected the government's proposal and stressed on the amendment of the Constitution before the date for polls are announced. The leaders of agitating parties threatened to hit the street if the date for the local poll is announced. "They proposed to take the constitution amendment and local polls together. We clearly stated them that we will not accept any elections without amendment in the constitution and if the date for election is announced before the amendment then the date for protest will be announced simultaneously. Madhesi Morcha will be compelled to go to the protest. So to solve the problem of nation let's make the amendment and then go for the election, we are ready for the election," Rajendra Mahato of Sadhvawana Party said during a press conference. He said it has been more than 25 times that the government and the agitating parties has met to discuss over the issue of constitution amendment but has failed to forge any consensus. Mahato said the government, who has the responsibility of implementing the constitution and address the demands of agitating parties is running out of time to announce the date for local polls. "The three tire local polls must be hold by early next year as per the constitution but the present political scenario is ruling out the possibility for it," he added. "With announcement of the date for election with consensus between the three major political parties, the Federal Alliance along with the United Madhesi Democratic Front and other forces will go to the protest. This is the agreement made today," Upendra Yadav, of Federal Socialist Forum told media after the meeting. (ANI)