KATHMANDU: A meeting of opposition parties called by Maoist Centre chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has concluded that the Election Commission’s new guideline on the self-assessment of political parties goes against the spirit of the Constitution and law.
The meeting, held at Singha Durbar, excluded the ruling Nepali Congress and UML. Attendees claimed the guideline was introduced to fulfill the wishes of the UML and vowed to oppose it jointly.
Leaders expressed concern that recent actions by the Election Commission were aimed at interfering with party autonomy, introducing unconstitutional practices, and sidelining smaller and alternative parties.
Maoist Centre Deputy General Secretary Barshaman Pun said the guideline lies outside the legal boundaries and appears to be a ploy to weaken parties other than the Congress and UML.
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) lawmaker Sobita Gautam accused the commission of operating under the influence of the ruling coalition. She criticized the guideline as an unconstitutional move to assume evaluative authority over parties, and accused the commission of misusing delegated legislative powers.
Leaders present at the meeting agreed to issue a joint position soon. They warned the commission against exceeding its constitutional mandate and discussed strategies to demand the withdrawal of the guideline.
Participants included Maoist Centre chair Dahal, senior vice-chair Narayan Kaji Shrestha, Unified Socialist chair Madhav Kumar Nepal, RSP lawmaker Sobita Gautam, RPP vice-chair Buddhi Man Tamang, Janamat Party chair Dr. CK Raut, Nagarik Unmukti chair Ranjita Shrestha, JSP whip Rekha Yadav, and Aam Janata Party chair Prabhu Sah.
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