President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav has asked Prime Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai to create an appropriate atmosphere for a broad national consensus and unity among all the existing political forces that would facilitate in ending the political deadlock facing the country. At a regular meeting with the prime minister in Shital Niwas the other day, President Dr. Yadav emphasised the need for unity among the parties to face the newer challenges that have emerged in the country’s political spectrum in recent days.

Prime Minister Dr. Bhattarai, on his part, expressed his commitment to leave no stone unturned to move ahead with national consensus, for which he would soon start consultations with the different political parties in the country. National consensus is a process that has to be initiated by all sides and stakeholders, and one-sided effort alone will not create the much desired consensus.

Prime Minister Bhattarai has already called for national consensus and cooperation from among the political parties to conduct the election in a successful and peaceful manner, and similar response should come from the other parties. Unfortunately, some parties, namely, the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML, are in the process of disrupting the election which is, in other words, disruption of the democratic process. Elections are the soul of democracy. In the absence of free and fair elections, democracy cannot be strengthened. Soon after the government announced the election, the Election Commission, which is the body responsible for conducting the election in the country, has expressed its ability to hold the election in time as stipulated by the government.

It has already started making the necessary preparation for it. At the same time, the Election Commission has asked the government to equip it with the necessary legal tools and budget at the earliest.

Democracy is the concern of all, including the political parties. Thus, the parties now need to shun partisan interests and contribute to strengthening the democratic process. But the parties have not yet learnt lessons from their failures of the past. A fresh election has been called for the new Constituent Assembly, which requires a wise decision and visionary approach from the political leaders to rescue the nation from further crisis. Thus, all must rise above their individual and partisan interests, which is the call of the hour and desire of the people. Peace, democracy and elections should be the priority and concern of all. As the government is committed to holding the election and consolidating the democratic system in the country, all the political parties and individuals, who have faith in democracy, must extend their active support to the government. The interest of the nation lies in the unity of the people.