The supporters of the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM) and the Sanghiya Gathabandhan organised a torch rallies at Siraha bazaar and Lahan, among other places in the district, protesting against the local polls on Tuesday evening.

Organising a press meet in Kathmandu on Sunday, the Morcha and Gathabandhan had announced an indefinite general strike beginning May 10 to obstruct the polls. Badal Yadav, district chairman of the Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum Nepal, said they organised torch rally as per the pre-scheduled protest programme.

In Banke, the SLMM activists staged a rally to garner the public support to boycott the elections. They have been requesting people not to take part in the local polls. On Tuesday, the Morcha took out a rally in Janaki Village Council and requested people not to cast their votes. Pashupatidayal Mishra, a Morcha leader, said they would not allow the government to hold the polls until the constitution is amended. “We are against the government decision,” he said, adding that they will obstruct the elections if their demands are not met.

Another Morcha leader Bijaya Gupta said the Madhes-based parties would take part in the polls if their demands are addressed.

‘Elections cannot be postponed’

Deputy Prime Minister Kamal Thapa has claimed the local level elections cannot be postponed under any circumstances.

The elections are connected with the implementation of the new constitution and cannot be postponed, he said at a programme organised by the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) in Tulsipur, Dang, on Tuesday.

DPM Thapa, who is also the chairman of RPP, said if the elections are not conducted as planned, the fate of the constitution will be in danger.

The local elections will give life to the constitution, he claimed.

DPM Thapa also suggested that the elections could be held in two phases if the agitating Madhes-centric parties agree participate.