CPN-UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal has said elections are not possible before peace is restored in the country.

“Elections are unthinkable without convincing the Maoists to stop the violence,” reports quoted Nepal as saying while speaking at a program organised in Pokhara Tuesday. He was of the view that the present government has got a classic opportunity to resolve the problems facing the country. “If this government fails in bringing the rebels to the table, no other government will succeed,” said the UML number one.

Nepal, in the meantime, claimed his party’s decision to participate in Deuba government was not because of the pressure from foreign power centers.

Commenting on Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala’s tour to India, he said the NC boss’s meeting with Maoist leaders there is quite possible. “If Koirala emerges successful in solving the crisis, that will surely win him laurels,” he said adding, “He will indeed be regarded as a national hero if he does that.”