CRITICAL SITUATION

The Kathmandu Post

4 August 2017

CRITICAL SITUATION

The date for holding local elections in Province 2 is fast approaching. The voters’ registration process is in full swing in all the election areas. Both the first and second phase elections have been held successfully. People in all the six provinces have enthusiastically participated in the polls. The CPN-UML was able to win mast of the mayoral seats. Now, the major political parties have started speeding up their political campaign to lure voters in Province 2. However, the Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal (RJP-N) seems stuck on its demands for statute amendments (“A ‘weakened’ RJP says its agenda still alive” August 3, Page 1).

It should have participated in the first and second polls; this would have enabled it to keep their three demands alive through local representatives. The RJP-N has made a political blunder; and it seems to have realised that its movement was weakened by abstaining from participation in the first and second phase of local elections. The ongoing scenario shows that the ruling parties are not comfortable with the constitution amendment bill. The NC has tabled an amendment that is unlikely to pass with a two-third majority. However, the RJPN continued to say that it will not participate in the third phase of polls until its three demands are met.

What happens if the government moves ahead to conduct the polls without the RJPN? Will the CPN-UML soften its political stance and allow the RJP-N come on board? What will happen if the RJP-N decides to take to the streets to obstruct the third phase of local elections? Time is running out for the ruling parties, the opposition and the RJPN to come to a consensus and hold the polls successfully.

Rai Biren Bangdel

Maharajgunj

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