Friday, December 30 2005 13:56 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kathmandu: Terming next year's municipal elections as a 'ploy' to legitimise the King's autocracy, Nepal's seven-party alliance has asked the people to boycott the polls and warned strong action will be taken against party cadres taking part in them.

In a joint statement, the agitating parties appealed to the Nepali people to boycott the February 8 Municipal polls.

"By picking up so called people's representatives through a poll drama, the King is trying to legitimise his regime putting an end to the democratic achievements of the 1990 Popular Movement," the leaders of the major political parties, who represent 95 per cent of the seats in the dissolved House of Representatives, said yesterday (Dec 29,2005).

The seven party leaders also warned their party workers against taking part in the polls.

"They will be expelled from the party at least for five years if they participate in the election or help in any manner," they said.

The King is trying to 'fool' the international community by staging a 'poll drama,' they said and appealed people not to become a shield for autocratic monarchy isolated by the international community.

"We appeal the people to boycott the polls being held in an army and police cordon, with a clear view to destroying the basic values of free elections," Nepali Congress spokesman Krishna Sitaula told sources.

"The King is trying to drag the country towards a party-less polity toeing the line of his father Mahendra, who dismissed the first elected Government," he said.

Describing the King as an 'obstacle to peace, democracy and prosperity of the country,' Sitaula said, "We have decided to intensify the agitation directed against absolute monarchy."

The seven party leaders also expressed concern over the 'worsening condition' of industries, trade and tourism in the country.

The Maoists have already decided to boycott the polls and said they would take 'special action' against those participating in the polls. They have also announced seven day general strike coinciding with the poll date.

"The top leaders of the seven parties will meet on Sunday to chalk out strategies to actively boycott the Municipal polls and to intensify their agitation directed against the autocratic regime, "Sitaula said.

Meanwhile, a senior Army official said the Army will undertake all responsibilities of conducting the polls.

"The army is shouldering the responsibility of conducting the upcoming municipal polls, and plans are afoot in this regard," The Kathmandu Post quoted Chief of the Number 5 Brigade of the Royal Nepalese Army and ex-spokesman Deepak Gurung as saying.

The job of the administration is just to sign on the ballot papers, count the votes and announce the results, while all other responsibility of conducting the polls will be taken up by the Army, Gurung told a security officials meeting in Kailali district in West Nepal.