Kathmandu, December 27 (IANS). Nepal’s interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki held an important meeting with top leaders of major political parties of the country on Saturday. This meeting was called in connection with the parliamentary elections to be held on March 5 next year.
The special thing was that this was the first time after becoming the Prime Minister, when Sushila Karki spoke directly to these leaders.
Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, Communist Party of Nepal (UML) President KP Sharma Oli and Nepali Communist Party coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal attended the meeting held at the Prime Minister’s official residence. These three leaders have also been Prime Ministers of the country before. Earlier on Tuesday, a meeting of these leaders was held on the initiative of President Ramchandra Paudel, but this was their first direct meeting with Prime Minister Karki.
This meeting has taken place at a time when there is an atmosphere of tension in Nepal’s politics. Major parties like UML and Nepali Congress have expressed concern about the law and order situation. Additionally, some leaders have also filed petitions in the Supreme Court demanding the restoration of the dissolved House of Representatives.
After the meeting, former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba said while talking to journalists that all political parties are ready to participate in the elections to be held in March. However, he also made it clear that at present the favorable environment for elections has not been fully prepared.
Giving information on behalf of the government, Communications and Information Technology Minister and government spokesperson Jagdish Kharel said that the three leaders present in the meeting have agreed to participate in the elections.
He said UML president KP Sharma Oli, whose party is demanding restoration of the House of Representatives, also expressed his willingness to go to the polls, but also stressed on creating a better and secure election environment.
Kharel said that Prime Minister Sushila Karki has assured the leaders that the government will create a conducive environment for free and fair elections by improving security arrangements and other necessary conditions. It is noteworthy that Kharel had met these three leaders separately on Friday also.
UML has been continuously questioning the intentions of the government and alleging that the present government is formed against the Constitution. At the same time, Nepali Congress has decided to participate in the elections through its Central Working Committee, but it is also demanding a better election environment.
On the other hand, the Nepali Communist Party, formed by the merger of various leftist parties, is advocating for holding elections on time.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Sushila Karki welcomed the commitment of all the leaders to participate in the elections and reiterated that the government is fully committed to conducting free, fair and peaceful elections.
–IANS
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