Violence continues in unlikely elections; Maoist killed; other details

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 26 May: Maoists, in particular, continued to attack rival parties two days after six ruling parties agreed to strictly enforce an election code of conduct for the 10 April assembly elections.
A Maoist leader was killed in a clash in Solu; Maoist death toll in campaigning has risen to eight.
Two dozen activists on both sides were injured in the same clash at the foot of Mount Everest Wednesday during campaigning 15 days ahead of the vote.
Congress candidate, former minister and central committee member Bal Bahadur KC was airlifted to the capital with seven others to treatment of severe head injures in a clash.
CPN-UML leader Jhalanath Khanal escaped when his meeting was attacked by Maoists in Ilam.
CPN-UML said Maoists also assaulted a party meeting in Dolakha as well.
Police Wednesday freed eight RPP workers abducted by Maoists in Sindhupalchowk.
Four persons were injured when Maoists attacked another Congress meeting in Accham Wednesday.
Maoists clearly are in no mood to enforce the agreement between the ruling parties.
CPN-UML charged Maoists have taken recourse to violence fearing they will lose elections but Chairman Prachanda told a rally in Morang Wednesday if the party loses defeat won’t be acceptable.
Prachanda reasoned Maoists will lose only a rigged election
Maoists, according to Prachanda’s logic, will win the vote even it they lose.
With spiraling violence, the controversial election is unlikely.
After Maoist black flags greeted Madhav Kumar Nepal is Changranigahapur, Rautahat, Wednesday, the CPN-UML again said election will be completed with re-polling in constituencies marred by violence.
ADJUSTMENT
Rajendra Mahoto group of Nepal Sadbhavana Party (NSP) and Tarai Madesh Loktantrik Party (TMLP) reached an agreement Wednesday for electoral adjustment without the Madesh Janatantrik Forum indicating the trio has split.
The three parties launched a successful strike demanding self-determination and provincial conceded in principle by the government of prime mInister Girija Prasad Koirala to pave the way for election.
The adjustment is bad news for Congress, CPN-UML and Maoists because the two parties have emerged stronger slimming changes of the three traditional parties in the tarai.
Maoists are contesting elections for the first time after giving up the gun.
Mahanta Thakiur of TMLP and Mahoto announced the understanding at a news conference in the tarai.
Meanwhile, four tarai militant parties demanding independence Wednesday accepted a government offer for talks.
Government is eager for a late understanding to less violence and improve the environment for peaceful elections.
The constituents of the group are unlikely to give up their demands.
Government Friday invited Madesh Tigers. Samyukta Tarai Janatantrik Morcha (Goit), Janatantrik Tarai Mukti Morcha (Jwala Singh) and Tarai Cobra for talks.
The parties agreed to conditional talks; they demanded freedom for all arrested workers and a dialogue by Friday.
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