Local leaders of the Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal (RJPN), an alliance of six Madhes-based parties, in Saptari district have urged the central leadership not to take part in the local level elections in the present political situation. 

A meeting of the RJP-N Saptari committee on Wednesday decided to boycott the second phase of local polls scheduled on June 14. The meeting, where some of the RJP-N central leaders were in attendance, decided to mount pressure on the central leadership not to participate in the polls. 

RJPN district Vice-chairman Niraj Mukti said that the meeting decided to boycott the elections as the participation in the polls without amending the constitution and restructuring the local units on the basis of population could be counterproductive. “We have sent a letter to the central leadership on the matter,” he added. 

A Cabinet meeting on Monday decided to add 22 local units in 12 Tarai districts and give metropolis status to Biratnagar and Birgunj in a bid to bring the protesting Madhesi parties on board the election process. 

“Madhes movement has been launched for the rights in which many Madhesi people attained martyrdom. Why should we participate in the elections as our demands have not been addressed?” asked RJP-N central leader Mrigendra Kumar Singh Yadav.