An ambivalent ruling coalition and a rigid main opposition, which looks buoyed by results of the first phase of local elections, have stoked some uncertainty over the second round polls, which are less than a month away. A promise by the Nepali Congress-Maoist Centre government that it would address the demands of the agitating Madhes-based parties, six of which have joined hands to form the Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJP-N), had paved the way for local level elections in two rounds—first on May 14 and the second on June 14. With the first phase of polls over, negotiations have started on addressing the agitating party’s concerns which include constitution amendment and increasing the number of local units in some districts along the plains.
During a meeting of the seven major parties, including the RJPN, on Friday, the UML, according to sources, said that the country should head for the second round of polls instead of getting into issues like charter revision and increasing the number of local units.
RJP-N leaders, however, are learnt to have told the meeting that they would not participate in the second phase of polls until their demands are addressed. Just when it looked like the country was getting its politics straightened out, there are now fears of a renewed deadlock.
Full Article: Renewed deadlock fears loom large – National – The Kathmandu Post.