Nepal will plunge into serious crisis if polls not held: KP Sharma Oli

KATHMANDU: Nepal's main opposition leader KP Sharma Oli today warned Prime Minister Prachanda that the country will plunge into a serious crisis if local, provincial and federal parliamentary elections are not held by January next year.

Oli, chairman of Communist Party of Nepal-UML, cautioned the government not to be involved in any activities that would affect the May 14 local body elections. He also slammed the government for failing to do necessary preparatory works for the polls.

Oli warned that Nepal will plunge into a serious crisis if local, provincial and federal parliamentary elections are not held by January 21, 2018 as mentioned in the constitution.

He further expressed his doubts that the Prime Minister himself is "conspiring" to foil the election or acting under the influence of others.

Oli was speaking after the conclusion of Nepal UML's Mechi-Mahakali campaign from East to the West.

He said the party launched the campaign so as to provide impetus for holding all three elections within the stipulated deadline.

"The main objective of the campaign is to create public pressure for the implementation of the constitution and create a favourable environment for political stability by holding all three level elections," Oli said.

Meanwhile, Prachanda met Chief Election Commissioner Ayodhi Prasad Yadav and assured him of providing all necessary support for holding the May 14 elections.

Earlier this week, The United Democratic Madhesi Front withdrew support to the government as it failed to address its concern within the seven-day ultimatum.

The Front on March 7 had issued the ultimatum to address their concerns that include re-demarcation of the provincial boundary and liberal citizenship policy among others.

The Front has been demanding government's endorsement for revised Constitution amendment bill and withdrawal of the decision to conduct local polls in May.