KATHMANDU, May 28: The top leaders of the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML have stressed on political consensus in the changed political context, saying consensus is the only option left for the parties to legitimize the recent political development.
"The present state of affairs cannot acquire legitimacy without national consensus," said Vice-president of Nepali Congress Ram Chandra Paudel on Monday, "National consensus is the only constitutional basis in the absence of the legislature parliament."
However, Paudel, talking to media persons during a tea-party hosted by President Ram Baran Yadav at Shital Niwas, questioned the constitutionality of the announcement of a fresh election by the prime minister.
Similarly, CPN-UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal warned that the election may lead the country to violence. "All parties should think about saving the country from that risk," said Khanal, saying his party was serious about the situation.
Arguing that there is no alternative to a fresh election, Khanal, in a statement issued after a meeting of the party´s standing committee, demanded formation of a national consensus government. The meeting concluded that the prime minister dissolved the Constituent Assembly and announced the new election unilaterally.
In the meantime, Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala said his party would launch an ideological movement and go to the people.
"Unlike the Maoists, we will not choose the path of strike, we will wage an ideological movement," Koirala told media persons.
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