UPDATE OF OPPOSITION POTESTS Katthmandu, 29 Jan.: Nine opposition political parties including the Nepali Congress, CPN-UMLon Tuesday organised a joint protest meeting near the Martyrs' Gate, Sundhara, demanding the ousting of the incumbent government and formation of a national unity, RSS reports. government. The programme began with paying of tributes by laying wreaths on the statues of the four martyrs there. Addressing the programme, leaders claimed that government that dissolved the Constitution Assembly (CA) before the promulgation of the new constitution has no constitutional and political ground to remain in power. They urged the government to quit the post immediately. The opposition leaders accused the UCPN-Maoist-led coalition government of heading towards totalitarianism and thereby argued that it demanded the ousting of the government as quickly as possible. They also warned of launching a decisive protest meeting at open theater or Khulamanch, Tundikhel on February 9 against the government. "The protest is not meant for getting into power, but for ensuring free and fair CA election with the formation of a national consensus government to draft the new constitution", leaders said. CPN-UML KP Sharma Oli said the new constitution could not be drafted on time due to ultra-leftist character of the UCPN-Maoist which is against federalism and democracy. NC general secretary Prakashman Singh said the agitation was the need of the hour to end present transition in the country and safeguard nationality and democracy. "Our protests would continue until fresh CA election was not guaranteed", he said. nnnn