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Prachanda’s proposal of ‘early elections’ triggers ripples in Nepali political spectrum

Khabarhub

January 21, 2022

3 MIN READ

Prachanda’s proposal of ‘early elections’ triggers ripples in Nepali political spectrum

Maoist Center Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal alias Prachanda (File photo)

KATHMANDU: A proposal of ‘early elections’ floated by CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal alias Prachanda has triggered ripples in the political spectrum of Nepal, of late.

Prachanda’s proposal has not only shocked the ruling coalition but also the main opposition CPN-UML.

Even though Prime Minister Sher Bahadaur Deuba is mum on this proposal, some of the leaders of the Nepali Congress are against it.

Prachanda had strongly protested when then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli had announced the mid-term polls by dissolving the parliament last year.

NC General Secretary Gagan Thapa stated that the government must ensure the local units will not remain without representatives while taking decisions on the elections.

“The constitution has not envisaged the local units without elected representatives. Hence, the government should make sure the local units will not remain without elected representatives while taking decisions on elections. It will be unconstitutional,” Thapa tweeted.

There have been differences in the ruling coalition following the proposal floated by Prachanda.

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has been saying that the local elections be held in mid-April to mid-May while Prachanda and Nepal are in favor of federal elections prior to the local elections.

The meeting of the political coordination committee scheduled for Thursday was deferred after top leaders did not strike a deal on it.

Following the deferral of the meeting, leaders Deuba, Prachanda and Nepal held a meeting on Thursday evening and decided to call the meeting of the political coordination committee at 4 pm.

What does CPN-UML say?

Main opposition CPN-UML has not made its views public on it. UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel has taken strong exception to this proposal of holding federal elections prior to local elections.

According to Pokharel, the local units will remain without elected representatives if the local elections are procrastinated and held in mid-October to mid-November.

Reacting to the Prachanda’s proposal, constitutional experts have opined that it would be unconstitutional to hold federal elections by deferring the local elections.

 

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