Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Local Development Kamal Thapa has said that a failure to bring the agitating Madhes-based parties on board the local level elections set for May 14 would help the secessionists. 

Speaking at a programme organised by the Makwanpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Sunday, DPM Thapa claimed that a consensus would be reached with the Madhesi parties soon after Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal returns from his China visit.

He reiterated government’s commitment to ensure a conducive environment for holding the local elections, which are being held in the country after 20 years—successfully. 

“There is a huge difference in terms of rights and responsibilities between the previous structures of the Village Development Committees and the newly restructured local units,” said DPM Thapa, who also chairs the fourth largest Rastriya Prajatantra Party.

“Everyone should rise above the partisan interest and participate in the local level elections,” he said, maintaining that the RPP joined the government with an intent to hold the elections on time.

On the occasion, he also instructed the government officials to work honestly on their part to make the elections successful.