Will the UML go to the villages alone, or wait to campaign jointly?
The UML has been established as a leading force. Our only discussion with the eight-party leaders has been centred on the need for a peaceful environment

The chief election commissioner has doubts about law and order.
At a recent meeting, our party discussed the situation in all 240 constituencies. We don't see big challenges in the hill districts. Even in most tarai districts the situation is good, only in the central tarai, there is a problem. If talks with the different groups end positively, our party has concluded that the election can take place.

Should the army and the Maoist combatants be mobilised for the elections? The army issue is for the eight parties to decide. On the Maoist combatants, there should be consensus on sensitive matters like law and order.

Is there any chance of left party unity?
Given how eight-party unity has worked for the establishment of democracy and in uprooting the monarchy, left party unity should be possible. But it should not be just for the elections. Any prospect of unity depends on a common agenda.

How do you think the government is doing?
The administration is very weak and there is a Nepali Congress hegemony in the government. The NC doesn't respect the principles of a coalition government and has often acted alone.