Nepal's three main political parties have in-principle agreed to hold local body polls based on the old structure as part of a move to implement the new Constitution, a top opposition party leader today said.
Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba said political parties were bound to hold local body election based on the old structures as part of the implementation of the constitution.
As Nepal has adopted federalism, there was no alternative to holding elections in all three levels by January 2018, The Kathmandu Post reported.
"NC is shouldering the responsibility of implementing constitution at present. However, all parties should stand together for this," he said, arguing the constitution amendment was forwarded to bridge the gap between hill and Madhesi people - the residents of Nepal's southern plains who share strong bonds with Indians.
The amendment bill is in limbo due to opposition to it in Parliament by main opposition Communist Party of Nepal - United Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML). The oppositon has been demanding that elections to the local bodies should take place only after restructuring them on the basis of population.
Senior NC leader Ram Chandra Poudel urged the party leadership to garner UML's support for constitution amendment.
Stressing the need of moving ahead by incorporating the sentiments of Madhesi people, he expressed the belief that the NC would be stronger if the National Tarun Dal, a youth-based party, would move ahead by following the party's norms, values and characteristics.
NC would soon form a central department by incorporating the Nepal Tarun Dal, according to Deuba, who urged the Tarun Dal to play significant role during the coming elections.
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