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Big 3 deal likely to put SLMM under pressure

Three major parties have reached an agreement to declare dates for local elections in four-five days and go for the polls, most probably in May-June, even if the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM) refuses to come on board. 
 Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Wednesday said that the ruling coalition has reached an agreement with the main opposition. 
Addressing a function in Phidim of Panchthar, PM Dahal said that the government is all set to hold local level elections and urged all to be start preparations for the same. 
“A meeting of the top leaders of major parties held on Wednesday morning has agreed to go for local level elections,” PM Dahal said.
CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli also told the party’s politburo meeting on Wednesday that PM Dahal has pledged to announce election dates within a week. 
“Dahal urged Oli to support the government and parties to hold local level elections even if the Morcha refuses to come on board,” said UML Secretary Gokarna Bista. “The prime minister has also told Oli that he will now hold ‘final talks’ with the Morcha,” Bista added. 
 Asked about the fate of the constitution amendment bill tabled in Parliament, UML Deputy General Secretary Ghanashyam Bhusal said the UML was ready to allow discussions on the bill “if the government announces dates for local polls”.
Senior Maoist Centre leader Narayan Kaji Shrestha told the Post that the government would declare election dates by February 19. “The government will take the statute amendment bill forward after declaring the dates.”
Tika R Pradhan
The Kathmandu Post
16/02/2017

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