We will defy strike from tomorrow: Big parties

KATHMANDU, NOV 11 - Leaders of the major political parties—UCPN (Maoist) , Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML—have claimed that they will operate vehicles from Tuesday defying the strike.

Speaking at a press meet organised at Reporters Club in the capital on Monday, UCPN (Maoist) leader Devendra Poudel said that his party continued the election campaigns and organised motorcycle rally as usual during the general strike called by the alliance of poll-opposing parties including the CPN-Maoist. He claimed that the vehicular movement will resume from Tuesday.

He ruled out the possibility of postponing the Novemebr 19 Constituent Assembly elections as all preparations have reached the final stage. He added the attempt to foil the election is against the achievement of people's movement.

Likewise, Nepali Congress publicity department chief Minendra Rijal expressed his confidence that the Nepali people will defy the strike. He claimed the government will take any measure to ensure the people's right to vote.

He claimed the CPN-Maoist does not want election and such communists will die out from the nation gradually.

Saying the Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal has plotted to revive monarchy with the backing of religion rather than love for it, leader Rijal claimed the plan to attract Hindu people would not be fulfilled. "Now it is not possible for deposed King Gyanendra and his sycophants to cross the cycle of birth and death by holding the tail of cow," said the NC leader hinting at the RPP-N's election symbol and agenda of monarchy and Hindu state.

UML Secretary Yubaraj Gyawali informed that the people will defy the strike from Tuesday and his party will also operate vehicles for election campaign. He added that no one can stop Nepali people from casting their votes. "Vehicles will ply from tomorrow, we should stop the strike and UML won't wait anymore," said Gyawali.

Meanwhile, CPN-Maoist secretary Dev Gurung made it clear that his party will not withdraw the strike programme unless talks are held by deferring the elections. He argued that the occurrence of some incidents is result of the conflict after two forces move ahead by ignoring the other side.

"Anything can happen if parties move ahead without agreement. Violence is inevitable in these times no matter how much one talks about peace. Disagreement can never be peaceful," said Gurung.