PM being flown to New Delhi

Himalayan Daily Ramblings

PM being flown to New Delhi for medical treatment; other details

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 24 Jan: Ailing octogenarian Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala is being flown to New Delhi for urgent medical treatment, Indian media reports said.
An Indian doctor from the prestigious All India Institute of Medical Sciences flew in to the capital Wednesday to examine the prime minister.
Koirala has been confined to bed for more than 10 days amid rumours Tuesday he died.
Koirala, on oxygen, appeared briefly before a select group of visual media Wednesday to scotch the rumours; journalists reported the premier’s face was puffed up.
Koirala, one a heavy smoker, suffers an irreparable lung ailment and has breathing difficulty.
A sick Koirala most operates out of his official residence called “Baluwatar’ after he was again catapulted to power in April 2006; he has rarely gone to Singha Durbar to attend office.
Before his latest sickness, Koirala appointed daughter, Sujata, virtual prime minister, by making h er minister without portfolio but in-charge of the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers.
As a result, she has access to all government files and official briefings.
Maoist minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara said important government decisions are pending without a meeting of council of ministers and the scheduled 10 April assembly elections could be affected for the third time.
With the deteriorating law and order situation, election is unlikely although President George said it should be held on schedule.
US is pushing an Iraq-style election in Nepal amid internal conflict; an election at this stage will only complicate an already complex and volatile situation.
“The United States encourages the government and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) to work together to ensure that polls are held by mid-April,” Bush told ambassador Dr Suresh Raj Chalise while accepting his letters of credence.
Wrongly indicating and suggesting democracy didn’t exist before 1 February 2005 when King Gyanendra imposed an aborted three-year direct rule, Bush reportedly said: Nepal has undergone profound changes, moving from a monarchy to an emerging democracy with an emerging economy.”
Washington along with London and New Delhi, the main player, toppled the royal rule in April 2006 with Maoist help.
But USA still continues to put Maoists on its terrorist list, unlike Great Britain and India.
China does not have what it calls ‘official’ relationship with Maoists although they socialize.
Koirala family has been dogged by illness and death in recent weeks.
An elder sister, in her 90’s died and niece Shailja Achayra has also been hospitalized and is on a ventilator at the TU teaching Hospital.
Acharya’s condition is also serious.
Acharya worked closely whit her maternal uncle fighting for the restoration of banned parties from exile in India; ban on parties was restored in 1990 through a popular movement.
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Kathmandu Diary

Kathmandu, 24 Jan: A determined government determined Nepal’s first constituent polls 10 April will launch a three-phase special plan from Tuesday until victory rallies after the vote.
Home Minister Krishna Prasad Shitaula announced the plan Thursday even as the security situation deteriorates every day.
Violence limited to the south has now spread to the hills in the north.
The day was uneventful Thursday after three-day student protests by government supporters forced a rollback on hiked prices of POL products.
“The protest this time was far different from the April 2006 demonstrations that brought down the king’s government. Protestors this time didn’t even let bicycles ply the roads during the protests,” a driver said.
While on the subject of elections, Acting Congress president was greeted with protests in the south and predicted a vote won’t be held if violence, killings and abductions continue.
Shitaula, who is deploying police, comes from the Congress.
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