In a significant move to forge political consensus and create a conducive environment for the upcoming national elections, Prime Minister Sushila Karki held extensive talks with leaders of major political parties at her official residence in Baluwatar.
The meeting marks the first such formal dialogue hosted by PM Karki since she assumed office on September 12 with a clear mandate to hold elections within six months.
The discussions focused primarily on the prevailing political instability and security concerns, which many leaders believe could hinder the scheduled elections on March 5.
While acknowledging the challenges, PM Karki reaffirmed the government’s firm commitment to holding elections on time, emphasizing the constitutional imperative and the people's right to vote.
“There is no alternative to timely elections,” PM Karki asserted. “The government is dedicated to conducting free, fair, and credible polls. Security agencies are working tirelessly to ensure a safe and secure environment.”
As part of her efforts to foster trust and transparency, Karki proposed a trilateral dialogue involving the government, representatives of Gen-Z movements, and major political parties to address outstanding issues and build consensus on the electoral process.
The Prime Minister also assured party leaders that the government is open to addressing concerns raised during the meeting, particularly around security, electoral logistics, and political participation.
Speaking after the meeting, senior Nepali Congress (NC) leader Prakash Sharan Mahat expressed reservations about the government’s preparedness, particularly regarding security arrangements.
“There is a serious lack of security for top leaders across party lines, and the morale of the security forces seems low,” Mahat said. “While the NC remains committed to participating in the elections, we are not convinced that the Ministry of Home Affairs is adequately prepared to ensure a secure and fair electoral process.”
Mahat stressed that most of the discussion centered on security concerns, which remain a key obstacle to confidence in the electoral timeline.
This latest round of dialogue comes after earlier efforts by President Ram Chandra Poudel to mediate between PM Karki and party leaders in the lead-up to the elections. With time running short, political consensus and enhanced security measures will be crucial to avoiding further delays.
