A gurkha honour: Britain’s Queen Elizabeth receives a garland of flowers from the daughters of serving Gurkha servicemen during her visit to Invicta Park Barracks, in Maidstone, southern England on Thursday.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
A gurkha honour: Britain’s Queen Elizabeth receives a garland of flowers
A gurkha honour: Britain’s Queen Elizabeth receives a garland of flowers from the daughters of serving Gurkha servicemen during her visit to Invicta Park Barracks, in Maidstone, southern England on Thursday.
Spl Kuwait plane for Prez
KATHMANDU, FEB 25 -
President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav is paying an official visit to Kuwait from Feb. 25 to 27 on the invitation of Emir Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Aal-Sabah.
An 11-seater aircraft is arriving here on Friday morning to receive the president and his team, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The visit marks 48 years of independence of Kuwait, 20 years of liberation from Iraq and five years of kingship of the Emir.
President Yadav, his daughter Anita, advisor Lalit Basnet, Foreign Secretary Madan Kumar Bhattarai, Secretary to the president’s office Baman Neupane and Chief of Protocol Mukti Nath Bhatta are among the delegates. This is the president’s third foreign visit after assuming office in July, 2008. He has paid two visits to India and one to China.
More than two dozen heads of state and government are visiting Kuwait to celebrate the occasion.
President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav is paying an official visit to Kuwait from Feb. 25 to 27 on the invitation of Emir Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Aal-Sabah.
An 11-seater aircraft is arriving here on Friday morning to receive the president and his team, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The visit marks 48 years of independence of Kuwait, 20 years of liberation from Iraq and five years of kingship of the Emir.
President Yadav, his daughter Anita, advisor Lalit Basnet, Foreign Secretary Madan Kumar Bhattarai, Secretary to the president’s office Baman Neupane and Chief of Protocol Mukti Nath Bhatta are among the delegates. This is the president’s third foreign visit after assuming office in July, 2008. He has paid two visits to India and one to China.
More than two dozen heads of state and government are visiting Kuwait to celebrate the occasion.
House okays anti-graft convention
KATHMANDU, FEB 25 -
The Parliament on Thursday ratified the United Nations Convention against Corruption in a bid to improve the country’s corruption-tainted image in the international arena.
The House session unanimously endorsed the anti-corruption convention designed to combat corruption on a global scale. Nepal had signed the convention in 2003 but had not implemented it due to the delay in ratifying the same.
The international corruption watchdog Transparency International (TI) has listed Nepal as one of the worst corrupt countries in the world. In the Corruption Perception Index (CPI)-2010 released in October, Nepal was ranked in the 146th position among 178 countries.
The new government is hopeful that the ratification of the treaty would clean the country’s tainted image. “The endorsement of the convention is not just a formality. This is a commitment of the Constituent Assembly to fight corruption,” said Minister without portfolio Bishnu Poudel. “The government will fulfill its responsibility by reforming anti-corruption laws and strengthening the mechanisms fighting against corruption.”
Earlier, various organisations working in the filed of corruption control including the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), Pro-Public and Transparency International Nepal (TI-N) had been lobbying for the immediate endorsement of the convention.
Officials at the CIAA have welcomed the development saying that the endorsement would be a basis to broaden legal framework to combat corruption and guarantee international legal and technical assistance.
“We had the jurisdiction to investigate only 40 percent of the issues related to corruption. The ratification will bind the government for making changes in domestic laws to ensure investigation of corruption where the private sector and civil society are involved as well,” said CIAA Spokesman Ishwori Paudyal.
The convention will facilitate the recovery of assets in foreign banks deposited by terrorists and those involved in corruption.
Speaking in the House, lawmakers expressed frustration at rampant corruption in the country and urged the government to strengthen the state’s anti-corruption watchdog. They said political backing was the root cause of corruption culture prevailing in the country.
“Instead of an eligible candidate, the governing parties always appointed their candidates in the mechanism responsible for combating corruption,” said UML lawmaker Ram Nath Dhakal. “The new prime minister has an opportunity to correct the mistakes by ending practices of political appointment.” Minister Poudel expressed commitment that the government would not appoint officials at the CIAA based on political affiliation. The national anti-graft body is functioning without the chief commissioner and commissioner for the last four years.
Maoist lawmaker Khim Lal Devkota said the convention would be instrumental in launching an awareness campaign for corruption prevention and would regulate bribery.
The reinstated House of Representatives in 2006 had passed a resolution on Oct. 11, 2006, expressing its commitment to ratify the convention. A total of 148 countries including Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan have already ratified the convention.
The Parliament on Thursday ratified the United Nations Convention against Corruption in a bid to improve the country’s corruption-tainted image in the international arena.
The House session unanimously endorsed the anti-corruption convention designed to combat corruption on a global scale. Nepal had signed the convention in 2003 but had not implemented it due to the delay in ratifying the same.
The international corruption watchdog Transparency International (TI) has listed Nepal as one of the worst corrupt countries in the world. In the Corruption Perception Index (CPI)-2010 released in October, Nepal was ranked in the 146th position among 178 countries.
The new government is hopeful that the ratification of the treaty would clean the country’s tainted image. “The endorsement of the convention is not just a formality. This is a commitment of the Constituent Assembly to fight corruption,” said Minister without portfolio Bishnu Poudel. “The government will fulfill its responsibility by reforming anti-corruption laws and strengthening the mechanisms fighting against corruption.”
Earlier, various organisations working in the filed of corruption control including the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), Pro-Public and Transparency International Nepal (TI-N) had been lobbying for the immediate endorsement of the convention.
Officials at the CIAA have welcomed the development saying that the endorsement would be a basis to broaden legal framework to combat corruption and guarantee international legal and technical assistance.
“We had the jurisdiction to investigate only 40 percent of the issues related to corruption. The ratification will bind the government for making changes in domestic laws to ensure investigation of corruption where the private sector and civil society are involved as well,” said CIAA Spokesman Ishwori Paudyal.
The convention will facilitate the recovery of assets in foreign banks deposited by terrorists and those involved in corruption.
Speaking in the House, lawmakers expressed frustration at rampant corruption in the country and urged the government to strengthen the state’s anti-corruption watchdog. They said political backing was the root cause of corruption culture prevailing in the country.
“Instead of an eligible candidate, the governing parties always appointed their candidates in the mechanism responsible for combating corruption,” said UML lawmaker Ram Nath Dhakal. “The new prime minister has an opportunity to correct the mistakes by ending practices of political appointment.” Minister Poudel expressed commitment that the government would not appoint officials at the CIAA based on political affiliation. The national anti-graft body is functioning without the chief commissioner and commissioner for the last four years.
Maoist lawmaker Khim Lal Devkota said the convention would be instrumental in launching an awareness campaign for corruption prevention and would regulate bribery.
The reinstated House of Representatives in 2006 had passed a resolution on Oct. 11, 2006, expressing its commitment to ratify the convention. A total of 148 countries including Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan have already ratified the convention.
Cabinet expansion: Cong gets formal UML,
KATHMANDU, FEB 25 -
Though the Cabinet is yet to take a complete shape, the CPN-UML and the UCPN (Maoist) on Thursday formally asked the Nepali Congress (NC) to join the government for the first time since Jhala Nath Khanal became the prime minister on Feb.3.
The two allies in the new government said coordination between major parties is vital to conclude the peace and constitution drafting processes.
The formal offer to the NC was made in a meeting of three major parties—UCPN (Maoist), NC and UML—attended by top leaders at the ministry of peace and reconstruction in Singha Durbar.
However, NC refused to consider the offer as long as the seven-point deal signed between Khanal and Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal remained in place.
Consultations among the parties to strike consensus on knotty political issues are likely to continue on Saturday. Another joint meeting called by Khanal is likely to dwell on the peace process, consitution drafting, Cabinet expansion and power sharing.
The PM hopes to rope in the NC, according to his aides. Leaders of the big three parties will try to find a common understanding on integration of PLA combatants and unresolved issues pertaining to constitution drafting.
NC General Secretary Prakash Man Singh said the Congress has been invited to the meeting and that the gathering will focus mainly on how to complete the constitution drafting and peace processes. He, however, said he is not sure if efforts to get his party in the government is another agenda of the meeting.
UML leaders Madhav Kumar Nepal and KP Oli have also intensified discussions to bring the Congress in the Cabinet. The Maoist party is still undecided on joining the government as it sees the UML’s decision on the seven-point deal as “ambiguous and vague.” In a meeting with Khanal on Wednesday, Maoist Chairman Dahal asked the PM to make clear his party’s decision on the deal. “We requested the prime minister to clarify UML’s stance on the seven-point understanding,” said Maoist Vice Chairman Mohan Baidya.
The Maoist Standing Committee (SC) is scheduled to meet after the three-party meet.
Leaders close to Dahal said the SC meeting is likely to decide on joining the government. While Dahal is in the mood to join the government even if the party is denied the home ministry portfolio, Vice Chairmen duo Baburam Bhattarai and Mohan Baidya are against it. The Bhattarai faction wants the party to support the government from outside.
Though the Cabinet is yet to take a complete shape, the CPN-UML and the UCPN (Maoist) on Thursday formally asked the Nepali Congress (NC) to join the government for the first time since Jhala Nath Khanal became the prime minister on Feb.3.
The two allies in the new government said coordination between major parties is vital to conclude the peace and constitution drafting processes.
The formal offer to the NC was made in a meeting of three major parties—UCPN (Maoist), NC and UML—attended by top leaders at the ministry of peace and reconstruction in Singha Durbar.
However, NC refused to consider the offer as long as the seven-point deal signed between Khanal and Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal remained in place.
Consultations among the parties to strike consensus on knotty political issues are likely to continue on Saturday. Another joint meeting called by Khanal is likely to dwell on the peace process, consitution drafting, Cabinet expansion and power sharing.
The PM hopes to rope in the NC, according to his aides. Leaders of the big three parties will try to find a common understanding on integration of PLA combatants and unresolved issues pertaining to constitution drafting.
NC General Secretary Prakash Man Singh said the Congress has been invited to the meeting and that the gathering will focus mainly on how to complete the constitution drafting and peace processes. He, however, said he is not sure if efforts to get his party in the government is another agenda of the meeting.
UML leaders Madhav Kumar Nepal and KP Oli have also intensified discussions to bring the Congress in the Cabinet. The Maoist party is still undecided on joining the government as it sees the UML’s decision on the seven-point deal as “ambiguous and vague.” In a meeting with Khanal on Wednesday, Maoist Chairman Dahal asked the PM to make clear his party’s decision on the deal. “We requested the prime minister to clarify UML’s stance on the seven-point understanding,” said Maoist Vice Chairman Mohan Baidya.
The Maoist Standing Committee (SC) is scheduled to meet after the three-party meet.
Leaders close to Dahal said the SC meeting is likely to decide on joining the government. While Dahal is in the mood to join the government even if the party is denied the home ministry portfolio, Vice Chairmen duo Baburam Bhattarai and Mohan Baidya are against it. The Bhattarai faction wants the party to support the government from outside.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Constitution still in sight, says Bhattarai
constitution by the Constituent Assembly (CA) and completion of the peace process.
Four days ago, the Maoist Central Com-mittee had passed the political line of party Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, which underscored the need for preparations for a people’s revolt as chances of peace and constitution writing process had been near-exhausted.
Bhattarai’s line of ‘peace and constitution’ had fallen into a minority position after the hard-line faction led by Vice-Chairman Mohan Baidya backed Dahal’s line of ‘people’s revolt’ and ‘national retaliation war’ against India. In his first full-length interview after the all-important CC, Bhattarai told the Post on Monday his major differences with Dahal were on peace and constitution process and how they viewed India.
In the interview, Bhattarai still took pains to stress that the party had not “completely abandoned the path of peace and constitution yet”. He, however, came out clearly on his differences with Dahal.
“The party has a clear view that chances of promulgation of a new constitution and completion of the peace process has been virtually exhausted and the party should now give priority to an alternative. I cannot go against the party decision,” Bhattarai said. He added that problems with India should be solved through politics and diplomacy first. Though the intra-party rift has widened, Bhattrai expressed hope that party would not split.
CIAA raids Dabur factory
BARA, DEC 20 -
The Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) on Monday raided multinational company Dabur Nepal’s factory at Rampur in Bara district. The CIAA resorted to the move after receiving complaints that the company had been imprinting false manufacturing date in its products.
The CIAA team raided the factory after a case was filed with the CIAA on Friday by Forum for Protection of Consumers’ Right against Dabur Nepal for allegedly distributing products with false manufacturing date. “We raided Dabur’s factory following complaints filed by the Forum for Protection of Consumers’ Right,” said CIAA Spokesman Ishwori Paudyal.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Panel for integration by 2013
Representatives of the UCPN (Maoist), however, registered their note of dissent over the proposal submitted to the Special Committee on Sunday. The Maoists stressed the need for a “political decision” on the modality of integration and the rehabilitation package before the enforcement of the plan. The action plan aims to enforce the government’s command-control over the combatants before the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) leaves in mid-January.
The main opposition has sought clarification from the political leadership on the status of Agreement on Monitoring of the Management of the Arms and Armies (AMMA) and the provision of monitoring over both Nepal Army and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) before finalising the new command-control mechanism. “There was no agreement among us, so we wrote a note of dissent and forwarded the proposal calling for decision at the highest political level,” said PLA Spokesperson Chandra Prakash Khanal, the Maoist representative in the 12-member body.
In the first phase, the action plan has proposed that the secretariat establish its chain of command over the Maoist combatants within the next four weeks. It has suggested that the retired security personnel or the serving one could be mixed with the Maoist Army personnel to form the arms monitoring mechanism that will be established at the 28 cantonment sites after the departure of UNMIN.
In the second phase, which will commence in the second week of January, the combatants will be categorised into integration (I), rehabilitation (R) and voluntary retirement (V) groups. The Special Committee will bid farewell to the ‘V’ group, send the ‘R’ group to decided locations and send the ‘I’ group for integration. In the third phase, starting the first week of March, the combatants will report to the integration centres concerned, the qualifying combatants will report to the security forces training centres and the disqualified will report to the rehabilitation camps. In the fourth phase, which will begin from June 2011-June 2013, combatants selected for integration will be trained at the training centre of the security forces and combatants opting for rehabilitation will be enrolled in various skill development centres established by the Peace Ministry.
In the fifth and the final phase, those who complete trainings will be integrated into the security agencies and others in the rehabilitation process will get the assigned seed money from the government.
‘China paying Nepali cops to arrest Tibetans’
KATHMANDU, DEC 20 -
An unnamed official at the US Embassy in New Delhi claimed that China is paying money to Nepal police officers to arrest Tibetan refugees from the Nepal-China border, a cable released by whistleblower site WikiLeaks has revealed.
“Chinese government rewards (Nepali forces) by providing financial incentives to officers who hand over Tibetans attempting to exit China,” the recently released cable quoted an unnamed source as disclosing the information.
The confidential US Embassy document titled ‘Update on Tibetan refugee flow’ was sent by an unnamed political officer at the US Embassy in Delhi on Feb. 22 this year and is based on conversations with two people whose names were also not revealed.
The cable offers insights into the flow of Tibetan refugees from Tibet to Dharmsala in India through Nepal.
According to the cable, the number of Tibetans travelling into India through Nepal declined significantly following the March 2008 uprising in Tibet.
“Beijing has asked Kathmandu to step up patrols of Nepali border forces and make it more difficult for Tibetans to enter Nepal,” the cable added.
Releasing other secret documents, WikiLeaks revealed that India believes Nepal’s Maoists have sold “some weapons” to Indian Naxals.
The document sent by the US Embassy in New Delhi to its State Department in Washington DC states that India, however, does not believe that domestic Naxals and Nepalese Maoists maintain any significant operational link. “The relationship between them is commercial, not ideological,” reads the document.
In explaining Indian security concern, the document states that India is increasingly concerned that “Jihadis are infiltrating into Northeast India from Nepal and Bangladesh.”
Nepali Maoists, the document adds, appear to enjoy relatively free movement within Naxal-held areas in India along the 1,700 km open border. “While we frequently hear reports of Nepalese Maoist leaders (including Number 1 Prachanda and Number 2 Baburam Bhattarai) spending long periods of time in India with leftist sympathisers, the GoI (Government of India) has assured us repeatedly that it gives no quarter to Nepalese Maoists, and several
high-ranking Maoists are being held in Indian jails.”
Ngawang Tenji Sherpa
An unnamed official at the US Embassy in New Delhi claimed that China is paying money to Nepal police officers to arrest Tibetan refugees from the Nepal-China border, a cable released by whistleblower site WikiLeaks has revealed.
“Chinese government rewards (Nepali forces) by providing financial incentives to officers who hand over Tibetans attempting to exit China,” the recently released cable quoted an unnamed source as disclosing the information.
The confidential US Embassy document titled ‘Update on Tibetan refugee flow’ was sent by an unnamed political officer at the US Embassy in Delhi on Feb. 22 this year and is based on conversations with two people whose names were also not revealed.
The cable offers insights into the flow of Tibetan refugees from Tibet to Dharmsala in India through Nepal.
According to the cable, the number of Tibetans travelling into India through Nepal declined significantly following the March 2008 uprising in Tibet.
“Beijing has asked Kathmandu to step up patrols of Nepali border forces and make it more difficult for Tibetans to enter Nepal,” the cable added.
Releasing other secret documents, WikiLeaks revealed that India believes Nepal’s Maoists have sold “some weapons” to Indian Naxals.
The document sent by the US Embassy in New Delhi to its State Department in Washington DC states that India, however, does not believe that domestic Naxals and Nepalese Maoists maintain any significant operational link. “The relationship between them is commercial, not ideological,” reads the document.
In explaining Indian security concern, the document states that India is increasingly concerned that “Jihadis are infiltrating into Northeast India from Nepal and Bangladesh.”
Nepali Maoists, the document adds, appear to enjoy relatively free movement within Naxal-held areas in India along the 1,700 km open border. “While we frequently hear reports of Nepalese Maoist leaders (including Number 1 Prachanda and Number 2 Baburam Bhattarai) spending long periods of time in India with leftist sympathisers, the GoI (Government of India) has assured us repeatedly that it gives no quarter to Nepalese Maoists, and several
high-ranking Maoists are being held in Indian jails.”
Ngawang Tenji Sherpa
Friday, December 17, 2010
Dahal document okayed
NGAWANG TENJI SHERPA , KATHMANDU, DEC 17 -
After a long intra-party tussle, the line proposed by Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal finally prevailed in the UCPN (Maoist). Despite strong disagreement from the Vice-Chairman Baburam Bhattarai faction, the party’s Central Committee (CC) on Friday endorsed Dahal’s political document that proposes, among other things, starting preparations for a “people’s revolt” after May 28, 2011, if the constitution is not promulgated by then.
With the decision, the Bhattarai faction’s line of “peace and constitution” stands defeated. As the Mohan Baidya faction sided with Dahal in endorsing the document, Bhattarai seems to have been singled out in the party. This could lead to a possible split in the party and even polarisation in the national political landscape. Dahal had tabled the document in Friday’s CC meeting, claiming that he incorporated all major issues raised in the other two documents presented by Bhattarai and Baidya. Leaders of the Bhattarai faction termed the decision “unilateral” and said it failed to incorporate the issues and agendas presented in Bhattarai’s document. “The document is not only one-sided but also fails to identify the major contradiction and the major national priority (peace and constitution). This will take the party nowhere, but will create only confusion,” the party’s Standing Committee member Devendra Poudel said.
CC member Kul Bahadur KC said the party endorsed the document on condition that all major disagreements will be discussed in the General Convention or any similar conference of the party. According to party sources, Baidya agreed to accept Dahal’s document, except for his reservations on “evaluation of history.” The Bhattarai faction opposed it for failing to identify the party’s future strategy. The Bhattarai faction wants a logical end to the peace process, reasoning that it is the best way to consolidate the achievements made so far. Baidya and Dahal, on the other hand, have prioritised peace and statue and people’s republic through national independence.
Due to sharp differences among the top leaders, the party’s sixth plenum in Palungtar, Gorkha, had decided to forward the three documents to the Central Committee.
Mixed reaction of parties
KATHMANDU, DEC 17 -
Major political parties have given a mixed reaction to the Supreme Court’s decision that said lawmakers cannot “abstain” from voting in the prime ministerial election.
The UCPN (Maoist) and the Nepali Congress have welcomed it and said it is a ‘setback’ for one of the major ruling parties, the CPN-UML that abstained from voting in the election for the past four months.
The UML, however, dismissed the interpretation and expressed dissatisfaction on the SC decision.
“Our party welcomes the SC’s decision,” said Laxman Ghimire, Chief Whip of the NC. “The decision has finally proved that the UML’s stance to remain neutral in the prime ministerial elections was wrong.”
Maoist Spokesperson Dinanath Sharma said: “We hope that the decision will help end the futile elections and take the country towards a positive direction.”
UML Spokesperson Pradeep Gyawali, however, dismissed Ghimire’s argument and said the decision should not be linked to the party’s former stance. The UML had on Thursday decided not to stay neutral, but opt for a majority government.
UML leaders also went on to say that the SC unnecessarily meddled into political issues. “The SC appears to meddle in political issues rather than focusing on legal issues,” Gyawali said.
“The decision has raised a question—whether the court can compel somebody to vote or abstain from voting.”
Major political parties have given a mixed reaction to the Supreme Court’s decision that said lawmakers cannot “abstain” from voting in the prime ministerial election.
The UCPN (Maoist) and the Nepali Congress have welcomed it and said it is a ‘setback’ for one of the major ruling parties, the CPN-UML that abstained from voting in the election for the past four months.
The UML, however, dismissed the interpretation and expressed dissatisfaction on the SC decision.
“Our party welcomes the SC’s decision,” said Laxman Ghimire, Chief Whip of the NC. “The decision has finally proved that the UML’s stance to remain neutral in the prime ministerial elections was wrong.”
Maoist Spokesperson Dinanath Sharma said: “We hope that the decision will help end the futile elections and take the country towards a positive direction.”
UML Spokesperson Pradeep Gyawali, however, dismissed Ghimire’s argument and said the decision should not be linked to the party’s former stance. The UML had on Thursday decided not to stay neutral, but opt for a majority government.
UML leaders also went on to say that the SC unnecessarily meddled into political issues. “The SC appears to meddle in political issues rather than focusing on legal issues,” Gyawali said.
“The decision has raised a question—whether the court can compel somebody to vote or abstain from voting.”
No fence-sitting, SC tells lawmakers
The Supreme Court (SC) on Friday ruled that the lawmakers cannot “abstain” from voting in the prime ministerial election and neither can a candidate be declared a prime minister unopposed, if it is an election, just because he or she is the only contender for the post. A prime minister, the court said, has to be elected through majority vote.
The apex court also declared null and void the provision in the Parliamentary Rules that allowed lawmakers to stay neutral ad infinitum. The court, however, said the neutrality provision would be null and void only when the House elects a prime minister through vote, pursuant to Article 38 (2) of the Interim Constitution.
“Our verdict against declaring someone a prime minister unopposed does not mean that the court is questioning the provision of selecting a prime minister through consensus as per Article 38 (1),” Justice Bala Ram KC told the Post. “But, when the House starts the prime ministerial polls as per Article 38 (2), the winning candidate must get a majority vote of the total number of members present in the Parliament.”
Justice KC said this ruling should clear the confusion surrounding the SC’s earlier order that had asked the Speaker to end the futile elections through positive use of the Parliamentary rules. The ruling, issued by a special bench of SC Justices KC, Sushila Karki and Bharat Raj Upreti, was in response to a writ filed by advocate Chandra Kant Gyawali and others that challenged the lawmakers’ neutrality stance.
The bench concluded that the lawmakers’ neutrality was against the provisions of both the Interim Constitution and Constituent Assembly (CA) regulation.
The lawmakers, said the bench, should cast their vote using their intelligence and conscience as it is one of their duties to elect a strong leadership and form a stable government, aside from writing the constitution. Regarding the debate over continuity of Poudel’s candidacy in the new session beginning Sunday, the SC said it cannot interfere in the business of the House: “It’s a matter to be dealt with by the House itself.”
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
KTV goes on air in the US
Kantipur Television (KTV) started broadcasting its programmes in the US from Wednesday.
The television station extended its transmission to America through DTH Company Dish Network. KTV Managing Director Kailash Sirohiya said in a statement that the extension of the television broadcast will provide Nepali expats living in the US with information about Nepal.
In a statement on Wednesday, the network said it is proud to broadcast programmes of KTV, the outstanding television station of Nepal, in the US. Now, one can watch KTV in America on channel number 757 at a monthly expense of $ 20.
Ngawang Tenji Sherpa
Kathmandu.
Full nod to full budget
KATHMANDU, NOV 17 -Twenty-seven parties represented in the Constituent Assembly (CA) gave the final nod on Wednesday to amend the interim constitution and allow the caretaker government to present a full budget on Friday. The Cabinet decided to bring the budget by amending the interim constitution. It has decided to include a provision in Article 96 (A) of the constitution.
Education, health and infrastructure will get maximum resources in the budget to be presented on Nov. 19. With Nepal Tourism Year 2011 round the corner, tourism sector has been given high priority, according to Ministry of Finance (MoF) sources.
As per the deal among the three main political parties, there won’t be any new programme in the budget. Ram Sharan Mahat and Baburam Bhattarai in the three-party task force of three former finance ministers advised MoF to drop some programmes that looked too populist.
However, one new programme for the tourism sector has been added. MoF sources said around Rs. 100-120 million has been earmarked for tourism infrastructure programme. There will also be tax incentive for those who establish five-star hotels in Bhaktapur, Lumbini and Janakpur.
Giving the continuation of earlier budgets, infrastructure sector has got the highest priority in the new budget. Ministry sources said that resources for major infrastructure projects that include Mid Hill Highway, Kathmandu Terai Fast Track have been increased. “Along with these two projects, the budget will allocate more resources for roads linking district headquarters and airport upgradation,” said a high-level official at the ministry. Also on the cards is the expansion of strategic roads into six-lane ones. According to Finance Ministry sources, the budget will announce expansion of Birgunj-Pathlaiya, Biratnagar-Itahari and Bhairahawa-Butwal sections into six-lane roads.
There will be new policy-level interventions in the budget which are of utmost necessity for the economy at present. One of the policy measures that the new budget is bringing on is about import substitution. The budget would announce incentives to the export sector. With Rs 15 billion going out of the country for the import of livestock and meat alone, the new budget is giving special focus on livestock farming and providing incentive for goat farming.
The budget will unveil policies to promote mergers of banks and financial institutions (BFIs). “Incentive for the BFIs who opt for mergers is on the cards,” said the ministry sources. RSS.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
BRB for package scenario
In yet another evident difference with party Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, UCPN (Maoist) Vice Chairman Baburam Bhattarai has suggested that a “package deal” among the political parties need not revolve round change in government.
Bhattarai made the observation on Monday during a meeting with a select group of reporters from daily newspapers. Bhattarai’s remarks come a day after Dahal urged Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala to withdraw the NC candidacy from the futile prime ministerial race. Such a move, suggested the Maoist party deputy chief, will pave the way for a subsequent “package deal.”
Bhattarai’s “package”, meanwhile, views Poudel’s withdrawal as part of the larger package, it being a precondition to such a package.
“The major parties, including the Maoists, NC, UML and Madhes-based parties should sit for serious dialogue to agree on a package on the remaining tasks of peace, constitution and reach an understanding on power sharing,” said Bhattarai. He urged top leaders to give up the lust for power and focus on peace and constitution writing.
On the leadership of the new government, Bhattarai said this dispute should be resolved jointly by all parties rather than forwarding the specific name of any party or individual. “We should find a common candidate through a joint decision of the major parties.” He, however, clarified that he does not have any desire to become the prime minister and that his focus is on peace and the constitution.
He also claimed to have developed different models of power sharing that would be acceptable to all parties.
His line contradicts the line taken by Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and another Vice Chairman Mohan Baidya. Both Dahal and Bhattarai are saying the party should stay in opposition if a new government is not formed under Dahal’s leadership.
Bhattarai, who is the former finance minister, has suggested finding a common candidate through the package deal to end inter-party and intra-party rifts regarding the leadership of the government.
Some Maoist leaders are saying that the Maoists should not take any concrete decision regarding peace, constitution and power sharing before the extended plenum slated for Nov. 21.
Bhattarai, however, said they can take any decision related to peace and constitution before that.
“Till now, our official stance is the promulgation of a new constitution from CA and leading the peace process to a logical end. We can make a deal with the other parties on these issues before the plenum also,” said Bhattarai.
Bhattarai seems clear that there is no option for the party but to follow the ongoing path of peace and constitution.
He is for finding a ‘middle path’ on peace and constitution by making alliances with the main political forces and forming a coalition government.
At a time when there is fear that the country will plunge into crisis after UNMIN’s exit, Bhattarai is saying that extension of UNMIN’s tenure could be possible if the parties arrive at a package deal before that.
“If we are able to make substantial progress before the termination of UNMIN’s mandate we can seek another extension.”
Chairman Dahal is making efforts to make a single document before the plenum but Bhattarai dismissed the possibility and said only the plenum can come up with a single document.
Posted on: 2010-11-02 08:19
The Kathmandu Post
Bhattarai made the observation on Monday during a meeting with a select group of reporters from daily newspapers. Bhattarai’s remarks come a day after Dahal urged Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala to withdraw the NC candidacy from the futile prime ministerial race. Such a move, suggested the Maoist party deputy chief, will pave the way for a subsequent “package deal.”
Bhattarai’s “package”, meanwhile, views Poudel’s withdrawal as part of the larger package, it being a precondition to such a package.
“The major parties, including the Maoists, NC, UML and Madhes-based parties should sit for serious dialogue to agree on a package on the remaining tasks of peace, constitution and reach an understanding on power sharing,” said Bhattarai. He urged top leaders to give up the lust for power and focus on peace and constitution writing.
On the leadership of the new government, Bhattarai said this dispute should be resolved jointly by all parties rather than forwarding the specific name of any party or individual. “We should find a common candidate through a joint decision of the major parties.” He, however, clarified that he does not have any desire to become the prime minister and that his focus is on peace and the constitution.
He also claimed to have developed different models of power sharing that would be acceptable to all parties.
His line contradicts the line taken by Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and another Vice Chairman Mohan Baidya. Both Dahal and Bhattarai are saying the party should stay in opposition if a new government is not formed under Dahal’s leadership.
Bhattarai, who is the former finance minister, has suggested finding a common candidate through the package deal to end inter-party and intra-party rifts regarding the leadership of the government.
Some Maoist leaders are saying that the Maoists should not take any concrete decision regarding peace, constitution and power sharing before the extended plenum slated for Nov. 21.
Bhattarai, however, said they can take any decision related to peace and constitution before that.
“Till now, our official stance is the promulgation of a new constitution from CA and leading the peace process to a logical end. We can make a deal with the other parties on these issues before the plenum also,” said Bhattarai.
Bhattarai seems clear that there is no option for the party but to follow the ongoing path of peace and constitution.
He is for finding a ‘middle path’ on peace and constitution by making alliances with the main political forces and forming a coalition government.
At a time when there is fear that the country will plunge into crisis after UNMIN’s exit, Bhattarai is saying that extension of UNMIN’s tenure could be possible if the parties arrive at a package deal before that.
“If we are able to make substantial progress before the termination of UNMIN’s mandate we can seek another extension.”
Chairman Dahal is making efforts to make a single document before the plenum but Bhattarai dismissed the possibility and said only the plenum can come up with a single document.
Posted on: 2010-11-02 08:19
The Kathmandu Post
Sunday, October 10, 2010
A dozen times, result zilch
KATHMANDU, OCT 10 -
The House witnessed the twelfth round of the futile prime ministerial election on Sunday, and the lawmakers’ histrionics, as they acted out the absurd drama, were marked by inaction and lethargy. Nepali Congress Parliamentary Party leader Ram Chandra Poudel received only 89 votes, a record low. Many lawmakers including from NC seemed to have deliberately missed the show as it has lost its value.
Interestingly, of the total 598 lawmakers only 119 attended Sunday’s voting, 29 lawmakers stayed neutral and one voted against Poudel. This shows Poudel is gradually getting fewer votes after each poll, and at times less than the number of lawmakers his party commands.
Having tossed up Poudel’s 12th defeat, which has been a gratifying circus for the UCPN (Maoist) and the CPN-UML that are urging Poudel to pull out, the House is braced for a thirteenth round of voting on Oct. 26.
After the twelfth defeat, Poudel blamed Speaker Subash Nembang and the Maoists for the mess. “I have been contesting the election to fulfil their wishes,” he said, reiterating that he will not withdraw unless there is new agreement among the parties on integration and rehabilitation of Maoist combatants.
NC believes that the Speaker should play an active role in ending the current poll deadlock by, among others, scrapping the provision of staying neutral during polls in the House.
The UCPN (Maoist) and the CPN-UML, on the other hand, want Poudel to pull out so that a new process for formation of consensus government can be initiated.
Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal pulled out from the polls on Sept. 26 after the eight round.
Speaker Nembang, however, has been trying to play safe in responding to calls from both sides. He has clarified that the provision of neutrality is there as per the rules and he could not think of any “new course” other than continuation of the ongoing polls unless Poudel also pulls out of the polls.
Neither of the parties, however, has engaged in serious talks for consensus. The prime ministerial polls had started in the Parliament from July 21 after the parties failed to pick a consensus candidate to replace caretaker Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal.
Posted on: 2010-10-11 07:04
The House witnessed the twelfth round of the futile prime ministerial election on Sunday, and the lawmakers’ histrionics, as they acted out the absurd drama, were marked by inaction and lethargy. Nepali Congress Parliamentary Party leader Ram Chandra Poudel received only 89 votes, a record low. Many lawmakers including from NC seemed to have deliberately missed the show as it has lost its value.
Interestingly, of the total 598 lawmakers only 119 attended Sunday’s voting, 29 lawmakers stayed neutral and one voted against Poudel. This shows Poudel is gradually getting fewer votes after each poll, and at times less than the number of lawmakers his party commands.
Having tossed up Poudel’s 12th defeat, which has been a gratifying circus for the UCPN (Maoist) and the CPN-UML that are urging Poudel to pull out, the House is braced for a thirteenth round of voting on Oct. 26.
After the twelfth defeat, Poudel blamed Speaker Subash Nembang and the Maoists for the mess. “I have been contesting the election to fulfil their wishes,” he said, reiterating that he will not withdraw unless there is new agreement among the parties on integration and rehabilitation of Maoist combatants.
NC believes that the Speaker should play an active role in ending the current poll deadlock by, among others, scrapping the provision of staying neutral during polls in the House.
The UCPN (Maoist) and the CPN-UML, on the other hand, want Poudel to pull out so that a new process for formation of consensus government can be initiated.
Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal pulled out from the polls on Sept. 26 after the eight round.
Speaker Nembang, however, has been trying to play safe in responding to calls from both sides. He has clarified that the provision of neutrality is there as per the rules and he could not think of any “new course” other than continuation of the ongoing polls unless Poudel also pulls out of the polls.
Neither of the parties, however, has engaged in serious talks for consensus. The prime ministerial polls had started in the Parliament from July 21 after the parties failed to pick a consensus candidate to replace caretaker Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal.
Posted on: 2010-10-11 07:04
Japan stops SAARC aid
KATHMANDU, OCT 10 -
Japan, one of the major donors for the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) since 1993, has decided to suspend its aid provided through SAARC-Japan Special Fund.
According to an agreement signed on Sept. 27, 1993 in Kathmandu, the Japanese Government had agreed to finance activities relating to SAARC region and a fund was established. Sources at the SAARC Secretariat said the fund has been receiving millions of US dollars during these 17 years.
In a bid to maintain austerity, the Japanese Government has decided to suspend the aid, according to a senior official at SAARC Secretariat. Now, just US $ 100,000 is remaining in the fund. “Japanese Government has informed that after spending the remaining amount in the trust, no aid will be released,” said the official. The Japanese decision was circulated to all eight member states. It comes at a set back to the regional organisation as huge chunk of aid is suspended, the official said.
After Japan informed the SAARC secretariat that it is going to suspend the aid, Secretary General of SAARC Sheel Kant Sharma had visited Tokyo requesting to continue the aid, to no avail. Japan, which had complained of slow pace of progress made by its funding, had been registering its dissatisfaction with the secretariat, sources said.
Japan, one of the major donors for the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) since 1993, has decided to suspend its aid provided through SAARC-Japan Special Fund.
According to an agreement signed on Sept. 27, 1993 in Kathmandu, the Japanese Government had agreed to finance activities relating to SAARC region and a fund was established. Sources at the SAARC Secretariat said the fund has been receiving millions of US dollars during these 17 years.
In a bid to maintain austerity, the Japanese Government has decided to suspend the aid, according to a senior official at SAARC Secretariat. Now, just US $ 100,000 is remaining in the fund. “Japanese Government has informed that after spending the remaining amount in the trust, no aid will be released,” said the official. The Japanese decision was circulated to all eight member states. It comes at a set back to the regional organisation as huge chunk of aid is suspended, the official said.
After Japan informed the SAARC secretariat that it is going to suspend the aid, Secretary General of SAARC Sheel Kant Sharma had visited Tokyo requesting to continue the aid, to no avail. Japan, which had complained of slow pace of progress made by its funding, had been registering its dissatisfaction with the secretariat, sources said.
UNMIN provides PLA info to govt
KATHMANDU, OCT 10 -
The United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) on Sunday completed the process of providing information on the Maoist army personnel to the Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction. The move follows a request of the Special Committee for the Supervision, Integration and Rehabilitation of the Maoist combatants.
“UNMIN released the data following an agreement with the parties. I view that the agreement is another positive step in the peace process,” said UNMIN Chief Karin Landgren in a statement. “With less than 100 days remaining in UNMIN’s mandate, it is critical for the parties to maintain the momentum and find the way forward on the issue of integration and rehabilitation. The mission will continue doing all that it can to lend its expertise and support to the process,” she added.
UNMIN has said it had collected the data as part of its activities related to the monitoring of arms and armies, and it remains committed to handling personnel data with confidentiality.
Posted on: 2010-10-11 07:05
The United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) on Sunday completed the process of providing information on the Maoist army personnel to the Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction. The move follows a request of the Special Committee for the Supervision, Integration and Rehabilitation of the Maoist combatants.
“UNMIN released the data following an agreement with the parties. I view that the agreement is another positive step in the peace process,” said UNMIN Chief Karin Landgren in a statement. “With less than 100 days remaining in UNMIN’s mandate, it is critical for the parties to maintain the momentum and find the way forward on the issue of integration and rehabilitation. The mission will continue doing all that it can to lend its expertise and support to the process,” she added.
UNMIN has said it had collected the data as part of its activities related to the monitoring of arms and armies, and it remains committed to handling personnel data with confidentiality.
Posted on: 2010-10-11 07:05
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
14 killed as jeep plunges into river
MYAGDI, OCT 05 -
Fourteen people were killed when a jeep fell into the Kali Gandaki river along the Beni-Jomsom road at Dana VDC in Myagdi district on Tuesday.
The vehicle carrying pilgrims headed to Muktinath Temple had left for Mustang from Beni when the accident occurred at the Baadarjunge cliff, some 37 km north of Beni. As of evening, police were able to establish the identity of only 11 victims: Gopal Khorja, Sabin Rai, Sabina Baniya, Chim Bahadur Bhujel, Saraswati Bhujel, Salisma Thakali, Kelsang Thakali, Prakash Sharma Poudel, Juna Sharma, Lila Sharma and Damodari Upadhyaya.
One of the survivors, Totra Baniya, said the jeep rolled backward after being unable to make an uphill climb before falling into the river. Baniya jumped off the vehicle just in time to save himself. Susmita Thakali, who also survived the accident with injuries, was taken to Pokhara for treatment. It has only been two years since vehicles started plying the Beni-Jomsom road. source
KATHMANDU, OCT 05 -
Fourteen people were killed when a jeep fell into the Kali Gandaki river along the Beni-Jomsom road at Dana VDC in Myagdi district on Tuesday.
The vehicle carrying pilgrims headed to Muktinath Temple had left for Mustang from Beni when the accident occurred at the Baadarjunge cliff, some 37 km north of Beni. As of evening, police were able to establish the identity of only 11 victims: Gopal Khorja, Sabin Rai, Sabina Baniya, Chim Bahadur Bhujel, Saraswati Bhujel, Salisma Thakali, Kelsang Thakali, Prakash Sharma Poudel, Juna Sharma, Lila Sharma and Damodari Upadhyaya.
One of the survivors, Totra Baniya, said the jeep rolled backward after being unable to make an uphill climb before falling into the river. Baniya jumped off the vehicle just in time to save himself. Susmita Thakali, who also survived the accident with injuries, was taken to Pokhara for treatment. It has only been two years since vehicles started plying the Beni-Jomsom road. source
Mastermind in heavies’ havens
KATHMANDU, OCT 05 -
Police investigating the racket involved in leakage of MBBS entrance question paper have claimed that the mastermind—Dr. Prabhat Kumar Kuswaha—is still hiding in the Capital under the protection of top-level ministers and government officials.
Dr. Kuswaha is on the run ever since Saturday’s mid-night raid at his rented accommodation in Maitidevi that revealed his alleged involvement in the leakage of the MBBS entrance question paper and duping aspiring doctors.
A senior police investigator claimed that there is sufficient evidence to corroborate claims that heavyweights are sheltering Dr. Kuswaha. The alleged mastermind has been in touch with some ministers and top-level government officials. Police said the racketeers have a nexus with those who are currently protecting him.
Dr. Kuswaha is believed to a close aide of Minister for Health Umakant Chaudhary and former Minister for Education Ram Chandra Kuswaha, a police source said without giving details.
In the wee hours of Saturday, police raided the rented accommodation of Dr. Kuswaha at Maitidevi from where 16 persons were rounded up on the basis of intelligence inputs that they were preparing to leak MBBS’ entrance question paper. But Dr. Kuswaha, Prajwal KC and a third person managed to flee. Police claimed that KC has left Kathmandu Valley for an unknown location while Kuswaha is still in the Capital.
Police said District Education Officer Kedar Tiwari and Dr. Ramakanta Prasad Jaiswal of Bara, who were also arrested and freed later, have also come under the
scanner as their presence during the midnight deal was suspicious.
Given their “shady past”, police suspect that Tiwari and Dr. Jaiswal could be a part of the racket.
Investigator said that the seizure of loaded arms and ammunition recovered from Dr. Kuswaha lends credence to the suspicion that they were making a big deal so as to leak the question papers and, they could have even prepared themselves to finish off rivals. It has also been unearthed that four arrested Indians had supplied the arms and ammunition to Dr. Kuswaha. Police said
they have begun investigation into Dr. Kusuwaha’s bank account, income and expenditure and his present status.
(Contd from Pg 1)
“It is questionable how a middle-class man, Dr. Kusuwaha, who was hardly into his line of profession, could build a big mansion worth millions and ride an expensive SUV,” said a senior police officer. Suspicion abounds that Dr. Kuswaha and his henchmen were into this illegal profession for the last few years had fleeced dozens of MBBS aspirants.
So far, the police have found three aspirants of the MBBS entrance examination, who had told the police that Dr. Kuswaha took Rs. 3 million from them. Dr. Kusuwaha and his accomplices had promised the three sure-shot success in the examination. Police are also keeping at least four MBBS preparation institutes under the scanner for their alleged involvement in the racket. The Metropolitan Police Range, Hanumandhoka, said a massive manhunt is on to nab the absconders. “Apart from that, the police have put the freed suspects under constant surveillance,” said SP Kharel. Given the sensitivity of the crime, SP Kharel said that the Crime Investigation Bureau of Police as well as Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority can also take up the case for further investigation. Source
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Withdraw call gets more strident
KATHMANDU, SEP 26 -
The Deuba faction in the Nepali Congress (NC) is impatiently waiting for the party’s Central Working Committee (CWC) to take final shape so that it can raise some “important” questions and also possibly including challenge the continuation of Ram Chandra Poudel’s candidacy in the ongoing prime ministerial polls.
Leaders close to Sher Bahadur Deuba said that they would first ask the leadership to justify the party’s stand in continuing with the prime ministerial election even after the UCPN (Maoist)’s official withdrawal from the race. Newly elected party President Sushil Koirala and Poudel have reiterated that the party will not pull out of the “legitimate Parliamentary process”, whatever the Maoist stand.
Of late, after Sushil’s victory in the party’s presidential election, the Deuba faction whose leader Deuba had proposed Poudel’s candidacy from the party, has undergone a change of heart arguing that the party should stop fighting the “endless battle” and start new efforts to find a “political solution” to end the poll deadlock.
The new stand, according to party insiders, is the manifestation of the Deuba faction’s displeasure over what it calls a betrayal of a Gentleman’s Agreement reached between Deuba and Poudel before the latter was nominated NC’s prime ministerial candidate.
In the verbal agreement, Poudel is said to have committed to either support the Deuba panel or stay neutral in the election in exchange for Deuba’s support for his candidacy. However, to Deuba’s utter dismay, Poudel supported the Sushil panel during the election. Though both Deuba and Poudel were contenders from the party for the prime ministerial nomination, reportedly Deuba himself had proposed Poudel’s candidacy following the verbal agreement.
The second question the Deuba faction is prepared to raise at the party’s CWC is about the alleged intervention by President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav in the party’s 12th General Convention.
“We have information that the president abused his power to garner votes for Sushil’s panel,” said an NC leader close to Deuba. “We will raise this issue in the first meeting of the CWC.”
The Deuba faction claims that the president, a former NC leader close to the Koiralas, got actively involved in gathering the Madhesi constituencies’ votes for the Sushil panel. Deuba supporters believe the president’s activism led to the defeat of their panel, including that of an influential leader from the Madhes like Bimelendra Nidhi.
Party insiders say how the NC establishment faction handles these questions would have implications for not only the current political deadlock, but also for the party’s effort to narrow down the internal division. “There could be some understanding, especially on the prime ministerial candidacy, but it all depends on how Sushil responds,” said a Deuba confident.
The Deuba faction in the Nepali Congress (NC) is impatiently waiting for the party’s Central Working Committee (CWC) to take final shape so that it can raise some “important” questions and also possibly including challenge the continuation of Ram Chandra Poudel’s candidacy in the ongoing prime ministerial polls.
Leaders close to Sher Bahadur Deuba said that they would first ask the leadership to justify the party’s stand in continuing with the prime ministerial election even after the UCPN (Maoist)’s official withdrawal from the race. Newly elected party President Sushil Koirala and Poudel have reiterated that the party will not pull out of the “legitimate Parliamentary process”, whatever the Maoist stand.
Of late, after Sushil’s victory in the party’s presidential election, the Deuba faction whose leader Deuba had proposed Poudel’s candidacy from the party, has undergone a change of heart arguing that the party should stop fighting the “endless battle” and start new efforts to find a “political solution” to end the poll deadlock.
The new stand, according to party insiders, is the manifestation of the Deuba faction’s displeasure over what it calls a betrayal of a Gentleman’s Agreement reached between Deuba and Poudel before the latter was nominated NC’s prime ministerial candidate.
In the verbal agreement, Poudel is said to have committed to either support the Deuba panel or stay neutral in the election in exchange for Deuba’s support for his candidacy. However, to Deuba’s utter dismay, Poudel supported the Sushil panel during the election. Though both Deuba and Poudel were contenders from the party for the prime ministerial nomination, reportedly Deuba himself had proposed Poudel’s candidacy following the verbal agreement.
The second question the Deuba faction is prepared to raise at the party’s CWC is about the alleged intervention by President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav in the party’s 12th General Convention.
“We have information that the president abused his power to garner votes for Sushil’s panel,” said an NC leader close to Deuba. “We will raise this issue in the first meeting of the CWC.”
The Deuba faction claims that the president, a former NC leader close to the Koiralas, got actively involved in gathering the Madhesi constituencies’ votes for the Sushil panel. Deuba supporters believe the president’s activism led to the defeat of their panel, including that of an influential leader from the Madhes like Bimelendra Nidhi.
Party insiders say how the NC establishment faction handles these questions would have implications for not only the current political deadlock, but also for the party’s effort to narrow down the internal division. “There could be some understanding, especially on the prime ministerial candidacy, but it all depends on how Sushil responds,” said a Deuba confident.
Unfazed Poudel to do a solo act
The election on Sunday for a new prime minister is likely to make a history of its own, with more than two-thirds of the parliamentarians abstaining from the vote.
Of 598 lawmakers, more than 450 of them will not vote for either candidate in the eighth round of prime ministerial election to be held on Sunday at 3 pm. UCPN (Maoist) candidate Pushpa Kamal Dahal has withdrawn from the prime ministerial race but Nepali Congress candidate Ram Chandra Poudel is bent on stepping into the ring regardless.
The abstention decision comes against the backdrop of disagreements between the UCPN (Maoist) and Nepali Congress (NC) on candidacy withdrawal.
Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal signed a three-point agreement with CPN-UML on Sept. 17 to pull out from the prime ministerial race, while his rival NC Parliamentary Party leader Ram Chandra Poudel has declined to withdraw — stressing instead on the need to resolve the deadlock through the ongoing voting procedure.
The Maoists and UML whose combined strength is 344 seats, well beyond the number required for a simple majority, have agreed not to participate in the polls.
The three major Madhes based parties—Madhesi Janadhikar Forum Loktantrik (28 seats), Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party (20 seats), Sadbhawana Party (9 seats)—on Saturday announced they would abstain in Sunday’s election. The Madhesi Janadhikar Forum with 25 seats has
said it too will not participate in the voting.
“It is meaningless to conduct the voting tomorrow as a majority of lawmakers will not participate in the election,” Maoist Vice-Chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha said on Saturday evening. “We will boycott the House session if the Speaker doesn’t cancel the meaningless election.”
The Maoists and the UML have been calling on the NC to withdraw its candidacy so that the prime ministerial process can be given a fresh start. Poudel, however, has claimed that such a move is “unconstitutional” and that the ongoing process should continue unless one of the candidates wins the election.
“I will continue to contest the elections,” said Poudel. He said the NC is ready to stay in opposition if the Maoist and UML form an agreement. Amid uncertainity over resolving the impasse, Speaker Subas Nembang has invited
the Business Advisory Committee of the Parliament at 11 a.m. on Sunday to discuss the row. “The Parliament will continue voting unless both the candidates submit a formal application for the withdrawal of the proposal as per Clause 22 in the Parliament Rules of Procedures,” said Speaker Nembang.
“None of the two candidates so far has made such a formal request,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Rastriya Prajatantra Party and the Rastriya Janashakti Party have decided to vote for Poudel in Sunday’s election.
Fringe political parties - the Nepal Majdoor Kishan Party, Nepal Pariwar Dal, Rastriya Janamukti Party, Nepa Rastriya Party, Sadbhawana (Sarita Giri) and CPN-ML (Samajwadi) - that backed Dahal in the previous round have said they will adopt a “no-vote” position.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)