UML CONVENES SPECIAL MEET TO FINE TUNE ANTI-GOVT. PROTESTS RSS Kathmandu, 27 Jan.: The CPN (UML) has called a meeting of the central committee and leading cadres today so as to prepare for the protests against the current government, RSS reports. The meeting is scheduled to be held at the UML Party Headquarters, Balkhu, where the UML leaders and cadres would discuss on working out strategies for opposing the government´s interference upon the protests that are called by opposition parties, said UML Office Secretary Parshuram Meghi Gurung. Central committee members, leaders and cadres of the central bodies, departments, sister organizations, Kathmandu Valley Committee, and Liaison Special Coordination Committees, among others, are invited for the meeting. UML Chairman, Jhala Nath Khanal, senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal, and KP Oli Sharma are scheduled to address the meeting. nnnn NC’S PAUDEL CALLS HIS PARTY’S LED GOVT. TO ENSURE VOTE Kathmandu, 27 Jan.: Vice-president of Nepali Congress Ram Chandra Poudel has said elections to the Constituent Assembly were not possible under the leadership of an independent person, RSS reports from Falebas.. Speaking at a press conference organized by Nepal Press Union Parbat here Sunday morning, Vice-president Poudel claimed that the NC would hold the elections within coming May if it was given the responsibility for the same. "Congress leadership is inevitable for elections in May", he said. The UCPN (Maoist) has agreed to accept any leadership under condition of elections so it must accept our party´s leadership. However, the UCPN (Maoist) is not in favour of elections and thereby hesitating to accept NC leadership, leader Poudel claimed. Referring to Maoist leaders´ statement that NC leaders too could go to jail for the insurgency-time crimes, he said, "we have not killed people, so those who have done so only will go to jail". He further accused the Maoists of carrying out a ´loot´ in the absence of important bodies like the parliament and the CIAA. Nnnn CHITWAN FIRE CAUSES HUGE LOSS Kathmandu, 27 Jan.: Property worth around Rs. 15 million was gutted in a fire that broke out at a grocery shop at Bhandara-1 in eastern Chitwan, Saturday night, RSS reports.. According to the Area Police Office, Bhandara, property worth Rs. 15 million was gutted after Bhandara-1 based Baba Grocery Wholesale Shop caught the fire. The fire also destroyed the house along with the shop. According to Sub-Inspector, Lokendra Malla, three fire engines, police personnel and locals brought the fire under control after four hours. Cause behind the fire has not been ascertained yet, Malla said. nnnn