KATHMANDU, Feb 16: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has started consultation with Madhes-based leaders at individual level in a bid to convince them for holding local elections.
PM Dahal on Thursday afternoon met Sadbhavana Party Chairman Rajendra Mahato and told him that the government has obligation of announcing poll dates for local election.
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PM assured Mahato that he will move forward constitution amendment bill and the election process simultaneously.
However, Mahato replied that none of the elections could be held without amending constitution. "After PM briefed his situation, I also replied him and told him that the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) is also obliged to announce the protest program if the government announces election dates without constitution amendment as we stirred Madhes for a long period for the amendment of the constitution," said Mahato.
According to Mahato, PM Dahal is planning to meet all the UDMF top leaders at individual level at first and to hold a joint meeting on Saturday.
"We will collectively meet PM on Saturday and formulate our future strategy after the meeting," said Mahato.
"We have a doubt that the government is not willing to move the amendment bill forward. The government is just trying to engage us and to deceive us ultimately," he added.
