ID :
59126
Wed, 05/06/2009 - 11:39
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/59126
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Nepal parties discuss govt formation; Prez sets Sat deadline
Shirish B Pradhan
Kathmandu, May 5 (PTI) Facing a Saturday deadline,
Nepal's opposition parties Tuesday decided to cobble up a new
coalition government with help from one of Maoists' key former
allies and a possible split in another party in attempts to
resolve the political crisis triggered by the abortive bid to
sack the army chief.
As President Ram Baran Yadav, whose decision not to
accept the sacking of Gen Rukumangad Katawal led to Prime
Minister Prachanda's resignation yesterday, set the deadline,
21 parties met and decided to form the government under the
leadership of Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist
Leninist) that pulled out of the Maoist dispensation.
The parties including Nepali Congress, Terai Madhes
Democratic Party, Sadbhavna Party and Rashtriya Prajatantra
Party command a strength of over 280 MPs in the 601-member
Constituent Assembly.
The opposition alliance is eyeing a majority of the 53
members of the Madhesi People's Rights Forum (MPRF), who are
said to be not averse to joining the new coalition even if it
comes to a split, political sources said.
The Saturday deadline was set under Article 38 (1) of the
interim Constitution which provides for forming a new council
of ministers on the basis of consensus, according to sources
at the President's office.
Along with their ally Madhesi Janadhikar Forum, the
Maoists boycotted the meeting called by the CPN-UML, the third
largest party in Parliament.
The meeting decided to form the government under the
leadership of CPN-UML by forging consensus among all political
parties, said Sunil Manandhar, General Secretary of
CPN-United.
"We will also hold consultations with the Maoists
regarding the formation of the new government as their
cooperation is essential for moving ahead the peace
process and to draft the new Constitution," he said.
CPN-UML General Secretary Jhalanath Khanal said there is
a proposal among the opposition parties that his party should
lead the new government. "We are ready," he added.
He also made it clear that Maoists' cooperation was
necessary for "permanent peace" in Nepal.
The Maoists, meanwhile, organised a separate meeting
attended by leaders from Madhesi People's Rights Forum (MPRF),
Nepal Workers and Peasants Party and Nepal Janata Dal.
Political analysts feel there is a possibility of horse
trading as the Maoists are determined not to allow CPN-UML to
lead the new government.
MPRF, with 53 seats, has the key to government formation
as both Maoists and Nepali Congress-UML alliance are trying to
woo the Madhesi party.
Maoist members of the Constituent Assembly also
obstructed the Parliament proceedings, asking the President to
apologise for his move against sacking of the army chief.
The Chairman of the assembly then adjourned the
proceedings as Maoists said they will continue blocking
Parliament until the President apologises.
Protests were held today against the Presidential action
in Kathmandu and some outer districts.
At least 50 people of a civil society group close to the
Maoists were arrested for staging a protest against the
President's decision.
Shyam Shrestha, Krishna Pahadi and Devendra Raj Pandey
were among the civil society leaders who were arrested from
the area near the Presidential house, which is declared as a
prohibited zone.
There was heavy deployment of riot police in the capital
to avert clashes in the wake of latest political developments.
PTI
Kathmandu, May 5 (PTI) Facing a Saturday deadline,
Nepal's opposition parties Tuesday decided to cobble up a new
coalition government with help from one of Maoists' key former
allies and a possible split in another party in attempts to
resolve the political crisis triggered by the abortive bid to
sack the army chief.
As President Ram Baran Yadav, whose decision not to
accept the sacking of Gen Rukumangad Katawal led to Prime
Minister Prachanda's resignation yesterday, set the deadline,
21 parties met and decided to form the government under the
leadership of Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist
Leninist) that pulled out of the Maoist dispensation.
The parties including Nepali Congress, Terai Madhes
Democratic Party, Sadbhavna Party and Rashtriya Prajatantra
Party command a strength of over 280 MPs in the 601-member
Constituent Assembly.
The opposition alliance is eyeing a majority of the 53
members of the Madhesi People's Rights Forum (MPRF), who are
said to be not averse to joining the new coalition even if it
comes to a split, political sources said.
The Saturday deadline was set under Article 38 (1) of the
interim Constitution which provides for forming a new council
of ministers on the basis of consensus, according to sources
at the President's office.
Along with their ally Madhesi Janadhikar Forum, the
Maoists boycotted the meeting called by the CPN-UML, the third
largest party in Parliament.
The meeting decided to form the government under the
leadership of CPN-UML by forging consensus among all political
parties, said Sunil Manandhar, General Secretary of
CPN-United.
"We will also hold consultations with the Maoists
regarding the formation of the new government as their
cooperation is essential for moving ahead the peace
process and to draft the new Constitution," he said.
CPN-UML General Secretary Jhalanath Khanal said there is
a proposal among the opposition parties that his party should
lead the new government. "We are ready," he added.
He also made it clear that Maoists' cooperation was
necessary for "permanent peace" in Nepal.
The Maoists, meanwhile, organised a separate meeting
attended by leaders from Madhesi People's Rights Forum (MPRF),
Nepal Workers and Peasants Party and Nepal Janata Dal.
Political analysts feel there is a possibility of horse
trading as the Maoists are determined not to allow CPN-UML to
lead the new government.
MPRF, with 53 seats, has the key to government formation
as both Maoists and Nepali Congress-UML alliance are trying to
woo the Madhesi party.
Maoist members of the Constituent Assembly also
obstructed the Parliament proceedings, asking the President to
apologise for his move against sacking of the army chief.
The Chairman of the assembly then adjourned the
proceedings as Maoists said they will continue blocking
Parliament until the President apologises.
Protests were held today against the Presidential action
in Kathmandu and some outer districts.
At least 50 people of a civil society group close to the
Maoists were arrested for staging a protest against the
President's decision.
Shyam Shrestha, Krishna Pahadi and Devendra Raj Pandey
were among the civil society leaders who were arrested from
the area near the Presidential house, which is declared as a
prohibited zone.
There was heavy deployment of riot police in the capital
to avert clashes in the wake of latest political developments.
PTI
