UML can organize its programmes in Terai: Yadav

Terai-based parties exploiting Madhesi people: Acharya

Kathmandu, Mar. 8: A senior leader of Madhesi Morcha Mahendra Ray Yadav Wednesday said that the alliance of the Terai-based parties had no intention or policies to prevent the CPN-UML from organising any programme in Terai districts.

“Now UML can conduct its programmes and run campaign in any places in Terai. Morcha had not obstructed it in the past and will not do so in the days to come,” he said while speaking at an interaction here.

He defended that the alliance never said to bar the main opposition from entering Terai-Madhes.

He said, “Commence the Mechi-Mahakali campaign right from Saptari, we won’t disturb. We don’t have policy to agitate against it. If our cadres had created any sort of disturbances to its programme, give us their names, we will take action against them or ask the government to punish them accordingly, said Yadav.

According to him, Morcha was not behind vandalism at UML party offices and house of the party leaders, there might have been infiltration into the UML programmes intended to defame it.  

He reiterated that Morcha would not obstruct UML’s campaign which is slated for Friday from Hetauda of Makwanpur district.

“It’s their right to run party campaign,” he said.

Yadav blamed the government for the shooting and killing at Rajbiraj and said, “The government is responsible for the incident. It gave orders to shoot. We ask the government to bring the culprit to book.”

He said that the constitution amendment bill should be passed before holding elections and federal elections should be conducted in the first stage.

Meanwhile, UML secretary Bhim Acharya said that in democracy, no one should be obstructed from expressing their opinion and to organizing party activities.

He blamed the Terai-based parties for exploiting Madhesi people.

 “Mechi-Mahakali Campaign will start from Friday and we will move west from Chitwan. We have put programmes in Province No 2, we will go there later,” he said.

Acharya said that the UML had to go to Terai-Madhes as the Terai-based parties had spread rumours against the main opposition.

“The constitution must be implemented and there should be elections for that. Therefore, our campaign is for the same,” he remarked.

“Morcha was afraid of UML’s campaign which was resulted in such accident. There were more than 10,000 people in the mass-meeting. We could have retaliated against them but we were serious about not to make any loss of life and property.”

According to him, the government and Morcha jointly tried to obstruct UML’s meeting in Rajbiraj.

“The meeting was disturbed by the Morcha and the government gave orders to open fire. Therefore, blaming UML for the incident is sponsored statements,” he said.

He reiterated that the UM was not in favour of constitution amendment.

UML will endorse amendment - PM's Advisor

Kathmandu, Feb. 25: Chakrapani Khanal, chief political advisor to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, Saturday said that the preparations were underway to endorse the constitution amendment bill with the support of main opposition party CPN-UML.

Speaking at an interaction programme here, he claimed that the amendment proposal would be approved by the Legislature-Parliament within a month.

“However, consultations are going on regarding the process of the voting. If we go for a secret voting, the government will have a two-thirds majority. We have the required number of votes. But, the amendment will be passed with UML’s support and all parties will participate in the election with a broader consensus,” he said.

He claimed that consensus was being forged between PM Prachanda and UML chair KP Sharma Oli.

Khanal also said that though there was no possibility of forming a leftist alliance, such initiatives might be materialised in the future.

 “If situation demands for a leftist alliance, this can also be mulled over since the government is ready to adopt every possible strategy to get the amendment proposal passed. The talks with the UML are positive in this regard,” he said.

According to Khanal, the CPN-Maoist Centre would not break the alliance with the Nepali Congress at present and the leadership would be handed over after the local level election.

“The election will be held on May 14 at any cost. The government is committed to holding the polls and will deal with every challenge that comes in the way of the poll. There shouldn’t any excuse against the election,” he stated.

UML leader Dr. Bansidhar Mishra said that the main opposition party would not disturb the constitution amendment process in order to take it to a conclusion.

“Our party is clear that to remove obstacles to the election, the amendment proposal should be allowed into the process, and the Madhesi Morcha should accept the result and show flexibility in this regard,” he said.

According to Dr. Mishra, to find the meeting point to solve a problem, dialogue should be continued.

Urging the Morcha to show flexibility as the UML was flexible enough to let the amendment proposal enter the process in the parliament, he reiterated that his party would work not to let the proposal pass from the parliament.

He challenged the Morcha to prove their mettle by participating in the election.

NC leader NP Saud said that the election would take place happen even if the Morcha did not participate in it.

“Elections should be held at any cost. The country has already thrown itself into the election,” he said.

Saud remarked that his party would put every effort to pass the amendment proposal and make elections happen.

“The UML will also come on board to support the proposal and it will be passed. The government will conduct the local elections on the scheduled date,” he said.

However, leader of Morcha Manish Suman stated that the Madhesi alliance would pull out of its support to the government within 48 hours.

According to Suman, the Morcha would not participate in the elections if the amendment proposal was passed as it is.