The Unified Marxist Leninist (UML) has rejected the plan presented by the Maoists on sharing of local bodies – equally among the three big parties, the Nepali Congress, UML and the Maoists.

At a press meet on Thursday, Rajendra Pandey, chief of UML’s local bodies cell, said that the results of 2054 (1997) elections should be made the basis to divide the local bodies. The UML had swept the 1997 local elections by winning in 60 percent of seats.

“Just as 1999 general election was made the basis to form interim parliament, the 1997 local polls must be made the basis to form local bodies,” Pandey, a former Local Development Minister, said.

The UML has raised objections at the plan submitted by Minister for Local Development Dev Gurung to divide the local bodies equally among NC, UML and Maoists. Pandey said that just like UML and Maoists were given equal number of MPs at the interim parliament, the NC and Maoists should share equal seats in local bodies.