ID :
59716
Sat, 05/09/2009 - 04:29
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/59716
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Nepal parties deadlocked over government formation By Sirish B Pradhan
Kathmandu, May 8 (PTI) Ahead of a deadline set for
Saturday, Nepal's political parties Friday appeared divided
over the formation of a new national unity government, as
diplomatic consultations intensified with the Indian envoy
meeting Maoist supremo and caretaker premier Prachanda.
Major political parties were engaged in hectic parleys
and strategy sessions but finding the way out of the deadlock
before the deadline set by President Ram Baran Yadav seemed
unrealistic. The political crisis was sparked by Maoist
premier Prachanda's resignation after Yadav blocked his move
to sack army chief General Rukmangad Katawal.
Three ethnic Indian Madhesi parties, with a combined
strength of 83 seats in Parliament, hold the key to breaking
the political logjam as any combine sans the Maoists with need
their support to attain the majority of 301 in the 601-member
Constituent Assembly.
The Maoists were hesitating to support a government led
by former ally Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist
Leninist) and were not ready to join the new government under
any other party's leadership. Nepali Congress, the second
largest party in Parliament, has said it will back a CPN-UML
candidate for the post of prime minister.
"Our priority will be to set up the new government
including all the major political parties," CPN-UML general
secretary Iswor Pokhrel said. "However, it is unlikely we will
reach agreement by Saturday."
The UML central committee is holding a crucial meeting to
discuss the government formation. Party Chairman and prime
ministerial front-runner Jhalanath Khanal told the meeting
that UML should go for a government which includes Maoists.
However, senior leader K P Sharma Oli is firmly opposed
to any truck with the Maoists, media reports said here.
Media also reported that there are divisions among the
leadership over the PM candidate with some of them supporting
senior leader Madav Kumar Nepal and some going for Khanal.
NC Vice-President Ramchandra Poudyal said it is upto the
UML to decide whether they choose Madhav Nepal or Khanal.
The Madeshi front -- made up of Madhesi People's Rights
Forum (MPRF) (53 seats) Terai Madhes Democratic Party (21) and
the Sadbhavana Party (9) -- said it will support any party
that is prepared to form a unity government but is yet to come
out with a stand in case there no national consensus.
As uncertainty deepened, Indian envoy Rakesh Sood met
Prachanda and discussed the political situation.
During the meet, sources said, the Maoist chief expressed
his party's commitment to the peace process and multi-party
democracy. This was the first meeting between Sood and
Prachanda after he indirectly accused India of interfering in
Nepal's internal affairs while announcing his resignation.
Prachanda also held a meeting with head of the UN Mission
in Nepal, Karin Landgren, while US ambassador Nancy J Powell
discussed the political situation with Nepali Congress
President and ex-premier G P Koirala. PTI SBP
DEP
NNNN
Saturday, Nepal's political parties Friday appeared divided
over the formation of a new national unity government, as
diplomatic consultations intensified with the Indian envoy
meeting Maoist supremo and caretaker premier Prachanda.
Major political parties were engaged in hectic parleys
and strategy sessions but finding the way out of the deadlock
before the deadline set by President Ram Baran Yadav seemed
unrealistic. The political crisis was sparked by Maoist
premier Prachanda's resignation after Yadav blocked his move
to sack army chief General Rukmangad Katawal.
Three ethnic Indian Madhesi parties, with a combined
strength of 83 seats in Parliament, hold the key to breaking
the political logjam as any combine sans the Maoists with need
their support to attain the majority of 301 in the 601-member
Constituent Assembly.
The Maoists were hesitating to support a government led
by former ally Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist
Leninist) and were not ready to join the new government under
any other party's leadership. Nepali Congress, the second
largest party in Parliament, has said it will back a CPN-UML
candidate for the post of prime minister.
"Our priority will be to set up the new government
including all the major political parties," CPN-UML general
secretary Iswor Pokhrel said. "However, it is unlikely we will
reach agreement by Saturday."
The UML central committee is holding a crucial meeting to
discuss the government formation. Party Chairman and prime
ministerial front-runner Jhalanath Khanal told the meeting
that UML should go for a government which includes Maoists.
However, senior leader K P Sharma Oli is firmly opposed
to any truck with the Maoists, media reports said here.
Media also reported that there are divisions among the
leadership over the PM candidate with some of them supporting
senior leader Madav Kumar Nepal and some going for Khanal.
NC Vice-President Ramchandra Poudyal said it is upto the
UML to decide whether they choose Madhav Nepal or Khanal.
The Madeshi front -- made up of Madhesi People's Rights
Forum (MPRF) (53 seats) Terai Madhes Democratic Party (21) and
the Sadbhavana Party (9) -- said it will support any party
that is prepared to form a unity government but is yet to come
out with a stand in case there no national consensus.
As uncertainty deepened, Indian envoy Rakesh Sood met
Prachanda and discussed the political situation.
During the meet, sources said, the Maoist chief expressed
his party's commitment to the peace process and multi-party
democracy. This was the first meeting between Sood and
Prachanda after he indirectly accused India of interfering in
Nepal's internal affairs while announcing his resignation.
Prachanda also held a meeting with head of the UN Mission
in Nepal, Karin Landgren, while US ambassador Nancy J Powell
discussed the political situation with Nepali Congress
President and ex-premier G P Koirala. PTI SBP
DEP
NNNN
