145;Nepal polls a plot to validate power grab146;

Rejecting King Gyanendra8217;s announcement of holding municipal election in Nepal, leaders of major political parties today termed it as a conspiracy to legitimise his February 1 power grab.

The leaders, who gathered to observe the 75th birth anniversary of Nepal Sadbhavana Party founder president and Terai leader Gajendra Narayan Singh, urged political parties to form a united front against the royal takeover.

Ex-PM Surya Bahadur Thapa, Nepali Congress Democratic leader Minendra Rijal and others stressd on the need to forge unity among parties.

Meanwhile, schools in western Nepal plan to seek international support to hold classes after Maoists planted bombs to pressure them to close. 8212;PTI