Sitaram Yechuri coming

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 1 May: As India attempts recover from a reverse with victory of Nepal’s Maoists in the 10 April assembly polls, CPI (Marxist) leader Sitaram Yechuri arrives Thursday for consultations with Nepal’s top political players.
Yechuri has extensive relations with Nepal’s communist leaders, including Dr Baburam Bhattarai.
Indian government, accused by main opposition BJP for seconding New Delhi’s strategic interests in Nepal to Indian communists, has discarded him as its pointman and chose instead to push interests through former ambassador Shyam Saran and leaders of other political parties, including Congress (I).
Yechuri comes at a time when hurdles have appeared in assembling a government.
Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala is reluctant to hand-over power to Chairman Prachanda as leader of the largest party in the 601-member constituent assembly arguing a hung parliament emerged after elections.
Continuity of Maoists in government is ensured once installed in Singha Durbar without amending a provision in the constitution that says a government can’t be ousted without a two-third majority in the interim parliament.
India has officially pushed for a national unity government.
Koirala has been quoted as saying India and USA have told him not to hand-over power to Maoists.
nnnn


Dutch tourist injured

Kathmandu, 1 May: A Dutch tourist was mauled by a leopard in his lodge overnight after straying out of the Chitwan National Park.
First reports said several lodge employees were also injured.
nnnn

Climbing fees reduced

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 30 April: Government has reduced fees to scale Nepal peaks, including Mount Everest, to attract more climbers and increase royalty from foreign expeditions.
Nepal has reduced climbing fees 50 and 75 percent to attract alpinists in autumn and winter—the less popular seasons.
Climbing fees for the most popular season in spring remains the same.
Climbing fees for peaks located in the mid and far-West have been completely waived.
Peaks in those are not easily accessible.
Nnnn

UNMIN chief, Prachanda hold discussions

Kathmandu, 30 April: Chairman Prachanda held discussions Wednesday with UNMIN chief Ian Martin as demands increase not to extend the tenure of the UN body on expiry 30 June.
One responsibility of the UNMIN was to oversee assembly elections which was conducted 10 April.
Maoist combatants and their arms are in cantonments and camps with UNMIN help.
The two responsibilities have been completed.
Maoists have rejected UNMIN help to integrate Nepal Army and PLA.
The extension of the UNMIN tenure figured in discussions Wednesday.
Nnnn


Climbing fees reduced

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 30 April: Government has reduced fees to scale Nepal peaks, including Mount Everest, to attract more climbers and increase royalty from foreign expeditions.
Nepal has reduced climbing fees 50 and 75 percent to attract alpinists in autumn and winter—the less popular seasons.
Climbing fees for the most popular season in spring remains the same.
Climbing fees for peaks located in the mid and far-West have been completely waived.
Peaks in those are not easily accessible.
Nnnn

UNMIN chief, Prachanda hold discussions

Kathmandu, 30 April: Chairman Prachanda held discussions Wednesday with UNMIN chief Ian Martin as demands increase not to extend the tenure of the UN body on expiry 30 June.
One responsibility of the UNMIN was to oversee assembly elections which was conducted 10 April.
Maoist combatants and their arms are in cantonments and camps with UNMIN help.
The two responsibilities have been completed.
Maoists have rejected UNMIN help to integrate Nepal Army and PLA.
The extension of the UNMIN tenure figured in discussions Wednesday.
Nnnn


v

Maoist govt. to forge links with communist governments

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 29 April: Maoist foreign policy chief CP Gajurel said Tuesday there’s a change of US policy towards Nepal’s Maoists who will reciprocate.
“There’s a change in American policy. We now have the responsibility to run the country. Relations, therefore, won’t be bitter as in the past,” Gajurel told party mouthpiece Janadesh.
Gajurel said Maoists will stop calling USA ‘imperialists’ and Indians expansionists’ repeatedly as the party prepares to lead a government following the 10 April elections..
“What’s the point in embittering relations for the country or for us?” Gajurel asked.
Gajurel charged USA made war plans of Royal Nepal Army against Maoists during the 11-year-people’s war and extended military assistance.
‘Then our relations with them were of an enemy. There’s no war now.”
Gajurel said Maoists will have to maintain some form of ‘diplomatic relationship’ with USA.’
“There’s been no talk. But handshakes have been exchanged.” Gajurel confirmed while he came across US Ambassador Nancy J. Powell at dinners and receptions.
He noted Powell was present at a meeting Chairman Prachanda had with donors last Thursday without direct contact.
“‘We’ll have two relations with other countries after going to government. Becaue we are a committed, party there’ll be commitment to communism and international communist movement,” Gajurel said.
“We’ll also at the same time have to maintain relations with other nations.”
Not many communist governments remain in the world.
Communism prevails in North Korea, China and Vietnam in Asia.
It’s not clear which party in a coalition or national government will head the foreign ministry handled by the CPN-UML which has quit government.
Nnnn



11 World Bank executive directors meet Maoists; other details

Kathmandu, 29 April: A delegation of 11 World Bank directors held discussions with Maoist Chairman Prachanda following the party’s electoral triumph in the 10 April constituent assembly elections.
The meetings comes at a time when the world is keen to know the policies to be adopted by Maoists in government.
The delegation also held discussions with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala Tuesday.
It’s not known who will head a government following elections.
Rival parties have expressed reluctance to hand-over power to Maoists—the largest party in the 601-member assembly.
Rival parties are pushing for an amendment in the constitution to oust a government through simple majority before handing over power to Maoists.
Maoists can’t be dislodged once they assume office without the amendment because a two-third majority will be required.
Maoist central committee meeting Tuesday authorized the party to begin talks with other parties to form a coalition government led by Prachanda.
Nnnn

Nepal, Bahrain sign labour agreement

Kathmandu, 29 April: Nepal and Bahrain signed a labour agreement Tuesday to enable Nepali workers to work legally in the Gulf country.
Labour Minister Ramesh Lekhak and his Bahrain counterpart Dr Majeed Bin Muhsin Al Alawi signed the accord.
Nepalhas such accords with two other countries in the Gulf, including UAE.
Altogether 2,947 plus Nepalis are working in the emirate.
nnnn

Nepal to help China get Olympic torch on Everest

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 29 April: Nepal is determined to help Chinese climbers carry the Olympic torch to the top of Mount Everest by 10 May.
The replica of the torch was brought to the base camp on the north side of the 8848 meters high peak Sunday, reports from Beijing.
Nepal shares the peak with Tibet.
Nepal has banned 31 expedition members in the south from conducting Free Tibet activities with by deploying police and army to enforce the ban.
Expeditions from Nepal have been forced not to proceed beyond the second camp at 6,200 meters until 10 May.
Team members could run shoulders with climbers from Tibet beyond 8,000 meters.
The southeast ridge route from Nepal and the northeast ridge route from Tibet is common.
By restricting keeping climbers at the second camp, Nepal will help China carry the torch to the summit unhindered.
Nepal this week deported US climber William Brant Holland Monday while the Ministry of Tourism banned him from climbing in the Nepal Himalaya for two years.
Holland was sent back from Everest base camp this month after he was found with a Free Tibet flag in his rucksack..
But Tibetan refugees have resumed anti-China protests in the capital every day after the 10 April assembly election protesting the August Beijing Olympics.
Nnnn

India accepts Naxalism a political movement

New Delhi, 29 April: Admitting that Naxalism was a ‘political movement with a strong base among poor peasantry and adivasis’, a high-powered government committee has ascribed its growth to people’s discontent and complete failure of the system and asked for immediate winding up of Salwa Judum, the Chhattisgarh government-sponsored armed civilian campaign against Naxalites, Akshaya Mukul reports in the Times of India.

[Note: The study comes after the success of Maoists in Nepal where they are likely to form a government. Maoists came into the mainstream politics with Indian government help.]
nnnn

Maoists taming with power in sight

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 30 April: With power in sight, the taming of Maoists has begun.
Chairman Prachanda their threats to ban Indian films and stop recruitment into Indian and British armies won’t or can’t be immediately implemented.
‘There has been a change [overwhelming Maoist election] in the situation and we need to move ahead base don this change,” Prachanda told Siddhartha Varadarajan who asked for the Indian Express: And the 1996 demand for a ban on Indian films?.
“We have always maintained that this recruitment for foreign armies should stop. But given the circumstances and the process by which we have come here—ours will not be a single party government—we will have to talk to the other parties to see how this sensitive and delicate issue can be resolved,” Prachanda said in reply to another question in Gurkha recruitment..
Maoists hope to integrate their PLA with Nepal Army ‘with the process of writing the constitution’ within one year.
Maoists plan to draw up the constitution within one year to conduct parliamentary elections instead of the planned 30 months.
Maoists in government will enable the integration.
“Secondly, the problem is not so difficult as it was earlier because when the government is formed with our leadership, the integration process will also be easier,” Prachanda said.
Nepal Army has opposed integration and although Maoists are in the incumbent government they don’t manage military affairs until now under Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala.
Maoist military leader Ram Bahadur Thapa ‘Badal’ didn’t blame the king or army for the killings in the 11-year people’s war but put the blame on India and USA for planning the war, training the supplying the army under parliamentary parties.
Maoists want to downsize the army from 100,000 to a 30,000 or 50,000 force in the next five to seven years so that it can never be an effective fighting force again.
After defeating Nepal Police and Armed Police Force, created to fight Maoists without deployment of Royal Nepal Army (RNA), Maoists now seek to make ineffective the force that stood in its way to overrun the country.
Maoists have come to power without defeating the RNA.
“Broadly speaking, we are thinking of a size of 30,000 to 50,000. This is our strategic thinking. It will take five to seven years, to come to the right size,” Prachanda said—the time required to seek alternative jobs for the displaced.
Recruitment of PLA into the NA, opponents says, is an attempt to destabilize the state army through infiltration.
Prachanda and Maoists have tempered down their belligerent attitude towards NA officers who, the Maoist chief said, were mentioned by the Rayamajhi Commission.
The Commission, Prachanda said, wasn’t formed when Maoists were in government; the Commission pinned specific blame on individual officers for a crackdown during the April 2006 movement.
“… we are not in favour of mechanically implementing whatever the Commission has recommended,” Prachanda said in reply to a question.
Prachanda said there’ll be ’no role’ for UNMIN in Maoist scheme to integrate Nepal Army and PLA more possible now because of ‘political stability’.
“I do not see such an important role for the UN.”
Prachanda and Maoists have toned down their criticism of India as well.
nnnn

India, USA hurdles for Maoists

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 30 April: Premier Girija Prasad Koirala has revealed USA and India are pressuring him not to hand-over power to Chairman Prachanda, Janaastha reports.
He revealed this at a breakfast meeting who family members Sunday.
Indian ambassador-designate suggested Koirala hand-over power to Dr Baburam Bhattarai instead of Prachanda.
:People at home and foreigners both have a single fear Maoists won’t leave once they get power. The prime minister cannot also be removed with the constitutional provision for a two-third vote to get rid of hi8m,” Koirala said, according to the source.
Ambassador Nancy J. Powell suggested USA will render all possible assistance if Deuba is pushed.
Koirala has conveyed this to Prachanda.
Prachanda told Koirala appointment of Bhattarai it’ll be difficult to unite the party with Bhattarai as prime minister.
“How can I have over the platter to them?” Koirala told his relatives.
nnnn

Three-party tarai alliance splits

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 28 April: A three-party tarai alliance that forced Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala’s government to concede tarai demands has split.
MJF Chairman made the announcement Monday.
“We teamed up in the final hours of the election, but we had a bitter experience. We could not participate in the election as an alliance, so there’s no pact of any kind among us now.
“There will be a new coalition among forces that are ready to guide the nation toward radical change,” Yadav told The Kathmandu Post.
MJF, TMLP and NSP won regional demands from the Koirala government before elections.
MJF has emerged as the fourth largest tarai party far ahead of TMLP and NSP.
Yadav didn’t reveal his party’s new coalition partners.
Nnnn

PM Koirala calls for unity after vote
By Bhola B Rana
Kathmandu, 28 April: Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala Monday formally asked political parties elected in the 10 April assembly to begin work for the formation of a new government.
Such a government, must be formed on the basis of unity, Koirala said in a statement.
Koirala’s Nepali Congress is reluctant to give up power even after the emergence of Maoists as the largest party in a hung assembly.
Rival parties of Maoists are pushing for an amendment in the constitution demanding a change to remove a government by simple majority instead of a two-third majority.
Meanwhile, Forum Chairman Upendra Yadav called for resignation of Koirala and lent moral support to Maoists to lead a government as the largest party.
But Yadav said his party will only join a government if demands for a Madesh province is met.
CPN-UML central committee asked government to accept the resignations of seven ministers who quit government after elections.
The committee rejected the request of Koirala to withdraw the resignations and re-join government.
Nnnn


Three-party tarai alliance splits

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 28 April: A three-party tarai alliance that forced Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala’s government to concede tarai demands has split.
MJF Chairman made the announcement Monday.
“We teamed up in the final hours of the election, but we had a bitter experience. We could not participate in the election as an alliance, so there’s no pact of any kind among us now.
“There will be a new coalition among forces that are ready to guide the nation toward radical change,” Yadav told The Kathmandu Post.
MJF, TMLP and NSP won regional demands from the Koirala government before elections.
MJF has emerged as the fourth largest tarai party far ahead of TMLP and NSP.
Yadav didn’t reveal his party’s new coalition partners.
Nnnn

PM Koirala calls for unity after vote
By Bhola B Rana
Kathmandu, 28 April: Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala Monday formally asked political parties elected in the 10 April assembly to begin work for the formation of a new government.
Such a government, must be formed on the basis of unity, Koirala said in a statement.
Koirala’s Nepali Congress is reluctant to give up power even after the emergence of Maoists as the largest party in a hung assembly.
Rival parties of Maoists are pushing for an amendment in the constitution demanding a change to remove a government by simple majority instead of a two-third majority.
Meanwhile, Forum Chairman Upendra Yadav called for resignation of Koirala and lent moral support to Maoists to lead a government as the largest party.
But Yadav said his party will only join a government if demands for a Madesh province is met.
CPN-UML central committee asked government to accept the resignations of seven ministers who quit government after elections.
The committee rejected the request of Koirala to withdraw the resignations and re-join government.
Nnnn


v

Madhav Kumar Nepal’s resignation accepted; Sushil Koirala continues
By Bhola B Rana
Kathmandu, 27 April: Madhav Kumar Nepal refused to withdraw his resignation as CPN-UML general secretary tendered after the party’s humiliating defeat in Assembly elections 10 April when the central committee met Sunday to assess future strategy.
He lost to young Maoists in two constituencies in the capital and Rautahat.
Amrit Kumar Bohara has been appointed acting party chief to replace Nepal who quit after leading the party for 15 years.
Nepal replaced Madan Bhandari who died in a vehicular accident.
Party colleagues praised Nepal for what they called his democratic attitude.
Maoists have overtaken CPN-UML as the mainstream communist party in Nepal after adopting open politics in 1990 when a ban on political parties was banned.
The main challenge for the CPN-UML now is to
The main challenge for the party is first to analyze the reasons for the shock defeat and reorganize.
But Sushil Koirala will continue to by the acting president of the Nepali Congress after his defeat at the hands of a retired civil servant who challenged Koirala who resigned after his loss from Banke.
Prime Minister and party president Girija Prasad Koirala didn’t accept his cousin’s resignation saying Sushil’s services were needed for the country and party at difficult times.
Nnnn





Turbulent days ahead in Nepali politics

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 27 April: Turbulent days are ahead with the Nepali Congress determined not to hand over the reigns of government to CPN (Maoist)—the largest party in a hung constituent assembly following the 10 April CA elections.
“Nepali Congress is still dreaming to lead a government and it isn’t acceptable,” CPN (Maoist) second- in-command told a rally in his home district Gorkha Sunday.
“Only Maoists have a mandate to lead a government following election result,” said Maoist Minister Deb Gurung after returning from New York where he attended a UN conference.
Congress leader Gopal Man Shrestha Sunday challenged to oust Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala constitutionally requiring a two-third vote in the present interimparliament—an impossibility.
Rival parties are afraid if power is delivered to Maoists they won’t leave government until parliamentary elections in 30 months—the minimum time allotted to draft a new constitution.
Two-third majority will be required to dislodge Maoists—another impossibility.
The solution.
Maoist rival parties are now demanding a fourth amendment in the constitution to incorporate a provision to dislodge a government through simple majority.
But seven parties included the two-third provision to appoint and dislodge a government to suit their interests never expecting the emergence of three regional parties and the ouster of three of seven parties from the seven-party alliance that dislodged King Gyanendra in April 2006.
Where in the world is there a basic law to suit rulers only—a law which has been amended thrice to suit the interests of rulers when they face difficulties.
Major parties—Maoists, Forum and CPN-UML- Sunday discussed a political impasse to break a deadlock by amending the constitution.
Maoists have claimed a stake to form a government as the biggest party in the 601-member assembly after a hung parliament winning 220 seats—100 more seats that Congress –the second party in the CA.
MJF is also demanding amendment in the interim constitution that says a government of consensus of seven parties must run administration after elections.
Government isn’t likely to be formed before one month at the least.
"Only four of those parties now exist," MJF leader B P Yadav told Radio Nepal, "The seven-party chariot led by Koirala has already fallen apart."
Nnnn





Nepal, Bahrain signing labour agreement
Kathmandu, 27 April: Nepal and Bahrain are signing a labour agreement this week.
Bahrain’s labour minister is arriving Monday to sign the agreement.
The Gulf is a major destination of Nepali labourers.
Nnnn

Nepal Investment Bank Ltd records profit

Kathmandu, 27 April: Nepal Investment Bank Ltd recorded a Rs 475.5 million net profit in Q3 ending 12 April compared to Rs 343.3 million in the previous year quarter.
NCC Bank recorded a Rs 306 million net profit in Q3 2007/08.
Nnnn

Indian threaten Maoists preparing to capture power

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 27 April: Indian government has threatened Maoists, through an editorial in an establishment newspaper that reflects official thinking, not to dilute relations with New Delhi by scrapping the 1950 Indo-Nepal Friendship Treaty demanded by Chairman Prachanda.
In an editorial entitled ‘You’ve Got A Friend” in its 26 April edition, the newspaper repeated the same threats it issued to past Nepali governments which sought such treaty review.
“Any unpicking of the friendship treaty and other pacts will lead to a renegotiation of these benefits, which is something Nepal’s Maoists must consider carefully,” new editorial said.
Maoists have staked a claim to form a coalition government after emerging as the largest party in the 601-member CA with 220 seats ahead of Nepali Congress with only 110 seats.
The editorial with a sub-headline ‘It won’t help Nepal’s Maoist leaders to turn their backs on India’ gives a veiled warn to be cautious in forging ties with China.
“Not only is India Nepal’s largest trading partner, but the international community, which currently provides much of Nepal’s development budget, looks to India for direction of Nepal.”
The implication is New Delhi will ask donors, mainly western countries, to cut off assistance to Nepal in case Maoists try to force close ties with Beijing.
The editorial comes at a time when visiting American and British diplomats in Kathmandu have tried have to ward off criticism Washington and London have subverted their interests in Nepal to India’s.
“The ministry of external affairs must convince the Maoists that it is India which is Nepal’s gateway to the world,” the editorial said.
nnnn

Lhasa protests first planned in Europe: China

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 26: A top China Communist Party official visiting Nepal said anti-China protests in Lhasa were first planned in China.
“Thy made the first strategy in some European countries. But there were many international partners, including NGOs and representatives of some western governments,” foreign affairs chief Ai Peng told Maoist daily Jandisha Saturday.
He said this in reply to a question: Were there foreign hands behind the Lhasa violence?
Ai said he discussed anti-China demonstrations in Nepal with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala who assured he was assured by Koirala ‘Nepal will leave no stone unturned in stopping such activities’.
Ai said: “That’s the reason I have taken no concern on this.”
Ai was the first foreign dignitary to hold discussions with government and party leaders after the 10 April assembly elections that didn’t favour India and USA.
EU that maintains keen interest hasn’t reached officially although Great Britain welcomed the election result.
Nnnn


v

Koirala unlikely to resign, Maoists threaten revolt

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 26 April: Hours after the Election Commission formally announced the results of a hung parliament, Sher Bahadur Deuba gave a clear indication Friday incumbent Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala won’t quit even as Maoists gave staked a claim to lead a coalition government as the largest party in the 601-member constituent assembly.
Stormy days may be ahead if Nepali Congress sticks to Deuba’s position; the Congress central committee is debating its election debacle and the meeting resumes Monday.
“If that happens to be the NC’s official position, the people will revolt and produce a new mandate,” Ram Bahadur Thapa ‘Badal’ told The Kathmandu Post.
“Maoists are only the biggest party in the constituent assembly. According to the constitution, two-thirds support of members of the CA is required to form a government; they don’t have two-third support.
“Girija Babu has brought the peace process so far leading it. Even now he should lead the government,” Deuba told a tea reception hosted by victorious Congress candidate Prakash Man Singh at his home.
Following defeat in the 10 April elections, top Congress leaders have asked the party not to join a government led by Maoists.
The internal Congress assessment could if the government is delivered to Maoists, it will be difficult to dislodge the former rebels once they are installed in Singha Durbar as a government leader since two-third majority will also be needed to oust it.
“ I don’t know. Everything should be done with understanding,” Koirala told reporters at the same reception.
“ Congress will lead the government,” Finance Minister and close Koirala aide Dr Ram Sharan Mahat also said.
Meanwhile, Indian government’s Nepal pointman Shyam Saran told CNN an all-party coalition national unity government should be formed.
Nepal’s constituent assembly won’t meet until another month.
Koirala has to convene an assembly 21 days after the Election Commission gives the government formal notification of the final election result which came Friday.
The Commission has given parties one week to name nominees under proportional representation.

nnnn

Hung assembly; election results complete

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 25 April: A hung constituent assembly has emerged after announcement of final results of indirect elections by the Election Commission Friday.
In the 601-member assembly, CPN (Maoist) have emerged as the largest party with 220 seats after it was allotted 100 seats in indirect vote; it collected 120 seats in direct elections.
Nepali Congress of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala emerged as the second largest with total 110 seats- 73 indirect and 37 direct seats.
CPN-UML is the third largest parliament with total 103 seats- 70 indirect and 33 direct seats.
MJF will have 52 total seats while and TMLP will be represented with 30 seats; they are the fourth and fifth biggest parties and were not represented in the interim parliament.
The election has, in effect, relegated the seven-party alliance of parliamentary parties that launched the successful April 2006 movement with Maoists to the dustbin.
The two parties along with the NSP have emerged as regional parties in national politics pushing interests of the south bordering India by ousting conservative parties like RPP and RJP wooed by the international community in the last two years.
They have been wiped out in direct elections they managed to got representation in the assembly through proportional representation.
CPN (ML) and RPP have collected eight indirect seats each.
Conservatives RPP-Nepal and RJP have been allocated four and three seats each.
Altogether 25 of 54 parties that contested elections will be represented in the assembly.
Parties will have to send their nominees for indirect seats to the commission in one week. The Commission selected 335 persons in the indirect vote.
Government will have to convene the assembly within 21 days after it receives official communication from the Commission on the election result.
Maoists, as the largest party, have staked a claim to form a coalition government under it.
But Koirala isn’t quite ready to quit although CPN-UML has withdrawn from government saying that was the directive of the popular vote.
Koirala asked CPN-UML to rejoin government saying no party got a convincing majority in elections.
Maoists collect 29.28 percent votes in indirect elections compared to 21.1 percent votes collected by Congress,
Sixty-three percent of 17.6 million voters cast indirect votes while 61 percent cast direct ballots.
Government will nominate 26 more assembly members.
Nnnn



Lhasa, Kodari railway link in five years

Kathmandu, 25 April: In five years land-locked Nepal will be linked with Tibet across the Himalaya.
China hopes to complete a strategic railway link by extending a railway line that will link Lhasa and Kodari, on the Nepal-Tibet border, in the next five years.
When complete, Nepal will be directly linked with Beijing—a concern for India.
A Chinese delegation led by the foreign department chief of the Chinese Communist Party conveyed China’s plans to extend the railway line to Nepal to Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala before returning home Friday.
The delegation was also the first foreign team to visit Nepal after elections with elevated Maoists closer to power in Nepal through election.
The delegation also held extensive political discussions with leaders of CPN (Maoist) and CPN-UML
Nnnn


Hung assembly; election results complete

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 25 April: A hung constituent assembly has emerged after announcement of final results of indirect elections by the Election Commission Friday.
In the 601-member assembly, CPN (Maoist) have emerged as the largest party with 220 seats after it was allotted 100 seats in indirect vote; it collected 120 seats in direct elections.
Nepali Congress of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala emerged as the second largest with total 110 seats- 73 indirect and 37 direct seats.
CPN-UML is the third largest parliament with total 103 seats- 70 indirect and 33 direct seats.
MJF will have 52 total seats while and TMLP will be represented with 30 seats; they are the fourth and fifth biggest parties and were not represented in the interim parliament.
The election has, in effect, relegated the seven-party alliance of parliamentary parties that launched the successful April 2006 movement with Maoists to the dustbin.
The two parties along with the NSP have emerged as regional parties in national politics pushing interests of the south bordering India by ousting conservative parties like RPP and RJP wooed by the international community in the last two years.
They have been wiped out in direct elections they managed to got representation in the assembly through proportional representation.
CPN (ML) and RPP have collected eight indirect seats each.
Conservatives RPP-Nepal and RJP have been allocated four and three seats each.
Altogether 25 of 54 parties that contested elections will be represented in the assembly.
Parties will have to send their nominees for indirect seats to the commission in one week. The Commission selected 335 persons in the indirect vote.
Government will have to convene the assembly within 21 days after it receives official communication from the Commission on the election result.
Maoists, as the largest party, have staked a claim to form a coalition government under it.
But Koirala isn’t quite ready to quit although CPN-UML has withdrawn from government saying that was the directive of the popular vote.
Koirala asked CPN-UML to rejoin government saying no party got a convincing majority in elections.
Maoists collect 29.28 percent votes in indirect elections compared to 21.1 percent votes collected by Congress,
Sixty-three percent of 17.6 million voters cast indirect votes while 61 percent cast direct ballots.
Government will nominate 26 more assembly members.
Nnnn



Lhasa, Kodari railway link in five years

Kathmandu, 25 April: In five years land-locked Nepal will be linked with Tibet across the Himalaya.
China hopes to complete a strategic railway link by extending a railway line that will link Lhasa and Kodari, on the Nepal-Tibet border, in the next five years.
When complete, Nepal will be directly linked with Beijing—a concern for India.
A Chinese delegation led by the foreign department chief of the Chinese Communist Party conveyed China’s plans to extend the railway line to Nepal to Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala before returning home Friday.
The delegation was also the first foreign team to visit Nepal after elections with elevated Maoists closer to power in Nepal through election.
The delegation also held extensive political discussions with leaders of CPN (Maoist) and CPN-UML
Nnnn

Standard Chartered

Kathmandu, 25 April: Standard Chartered Bank Nepal Ltd recorded a Rs 596.6 million net profit in Q3 ending 12 April.
The commercial bank recorded a Rs 500 million net profit in the corresponding previous year quarter.
Laxmi Bank Ltd recorded a Rs 31.9 million net profit in Q3 ending 12 April while recording a net profit of Rs 26.7 million the corresponding previous year quarter.
Nabil Bank earned a net profit of Rs
531.7 million in Q3 2007/08 compared to Rs 471.6 million the previous year quarter.
Nnnn

Chinese trade fair begins

Kathmandu, 25 April: The third China Trade Fair 2008 started at the Birendra International Convention Center showcasing Chinese exports.
Chinese embassy, Nepal-China Working Council and Nepal-China Chamber of Commerce and Industries are the sponsors.
v

Koirala comes under fire in party meeting



Kathmandu, 24 April: Congress also lost the 10 April constituent assembly election to Maoists because the vote want’s fair and fair even with a government led by the party.
The party district committees said there were dictatorial tendencies in the party of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala.
The district committees recommended Congress shouldn’t join a government led by Maoists.
The party, if it joins government led by Maoists will ‘only be a helpless shadow of Maoists’ Arjun Narshin KC, who is party spokesman said.
KC lost to a Maoist woman candidate from Nuwakot.
The stormy first meeting was adjourned until Monday.
Nineteen Congress leaders, including former speaker Taranath Ranabhatt, called for a meeting of party general convention to elect a new party leadership charging the party had deviated from its traditional policy.
Most leaders pushed monarchy before the vote.
Nnnn



US Ambassador attends meet addressed by Maoists

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 24 April: US Ambassador Nancy J. Powell Thursday attended a UN-sponsored meeting of donors addressed by Maoist Chairman Prachanda.
She just listened to speakers, including the Maoist chairman, for two hours as the Maoist chief appealed for international assistance for a Maoist-led government Prachanda is expected to lead as prime minister not president.
There was no direct meeting between Powell and Prachanda.
Prachanda hoped Washington would review its Nepal policy; Maoists are still on the US terrorist list.
US State Department spokesman said this week he wasn’t aware of any review of US Nepal policy obviously replying to a statement by Speaker Subash Newang quoting Powell as saying at a meeting with him US would finance a Maoist government and lift the terrorist tag.
Judging from the Washington statement, Newang was speaking for himself airing his expectations and not what the US ambassador said.
There could have been a communication gap in a conversation conducted in English.
Prachanda Thursday attempted to collect international support for a government led by CPN (Maoist).
Maoist Chairman talked on peace, new constitution, relation with army and the new government and asked donors to remove any doubts they had on Maoists.
Prachanda said monarchy must go following the election result.
Nnnn

Baburam, Prachanda separate

Kathmandu, 24 April: Baburam Bhattarai has moved out of a house in Balaju where he was living with Chairman Prachanda, Budabhar reports.
Bhattarai is now living with Barsha Man Pun in Lilitpur.
The same unit was previously providing security for Prachanda and Pun.
Bishwadip Pandey, personal secretary of Bhattarai, said Prachanda is also moving out of Balaju where the Maoist chief is continues to stay.
Nnnn


Practicality, multi-party system, reforms main threats to Nepal’s Maoist: Kiran

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 24 April: Maoist leader Mohan Baidya ‘Kiran’, said identified practicality, defensive posturing, multi-party system and reforms were the ‘main threats’ to the CPN (Maoist) against whom a battle should be waged.
Kiran said this as Maoists prepare to form a united government headed by them and rule Nepal at uealt parliamentary elections at least 30 months away.
“Philosophically, the main threat right now is practicality. Call it multi-partyism also. We have to fight against them.
“In the political front, it is defensive posturing. That’s why we have to fight against these two,” Kiran said in an interview with Mahima Thursday.
The question was: “What chief threats do you foresee?”
KING
Kiran threatened to arrest the king as a last option if he doesn’t first vacate Narayanhiti voluntarily.
“We’ll decide on implementing a republic and then send a notice or letter to the king. The question comes of voluntarily vacating Nayanhiti. If he doesn’t leave the legal procedure comes in then.”
Kiran said arrest was the legal option.
Kiran also revealed Maoists will attempt to amend the interim constitution to make Prachanda president—the party’s first option to lead a government.
There’s no provision for an executive president in the constitution.
‘And now call it a prime minister and a head of state in the form of a president. Without being a president, the form will be there,” he said.
Prachanda said CPN (Maoist) will push for an executive president but will compromise on a prime minister also officiating as a head of state.
If Congress and CPN-UML don’t join a Maoist-led government, the party will move ahead alone, Kiran said.
“Moving the movement’s ship then comes naturally. We’re ready for that. Either alone, or whoever comes. We’ll move incorporating them,” Prachanda’s ideologue said.
Forum Coordinator Upendra Yadav said the first CA meeting cannot declare a republic by abolishing monarchy.
“It is impossible for the first meting of the CA to abolish monarchy. Those who are saying that the first CA meeting will abolish monarchy are fooling the people,” The Himalayan Times Quoted Yadav as saying in Dharan Wednesday.
DEATH OF SEVEN PARTIES
‘We should move ahead with political parties and groups approved by the people through elections,” Dr Baburam Bhattarai told Rajdhani Thursday as speculation mounts who lead a new government.
“Mention was made in the constitution of seven parties because they launched the movement yesterday. Can’t forever say seven parties now. All should move ahead with the fresh people’s mandate,” he added.
‘It’s our feeling that past bad feelings will narrow down and an environment will be created for national unity.. It’s for the king to decide,” Bhattarai said to a Maoist desire for the king to voluntarily step down.
Nnnn


Baburam, Prachanda separate

Kathmandu, 24 April: Baburam Bhattarai has moved out of a house in Balaju where he was living with Chairman Prachanda, Budabhar reports.
Bhattarai is now living with Barsha Man Pun in Lilitpur.
The same unit was previously providing security for Prachanda and Pun.
Bishwadip Pandey, personal secretary of Bhattarai, said Prachanda is also moving out of Balaju where the Maoist chief is continues to stay.
Nnnn


Practicality, multi-party system, reforms main threats to Nepal’s Maoist: Kiran

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 24 April: Maoist leader Mohan Baidya ‘Kiran’, said identified practicality, defensive posturing, multi-party system and reforms were the ‘main threats’ to the CPN (Maoist) against whom a battle should be waged.
Kiran said this as Maoists prepare to form a united government headed by them and rule Nepal at uealt parliamentary elections at least 30 months away.
“Philosophically, the main threat right now is practicality. Call it multi-partyism also. We have to fight against them.
“In the political front, it is defensive posturing. That’s why we have to fight against these two,” Kiran said in an interview with Mahima Thursday.
The question was: “What chief threats do you foresee?”
KING
Kiran threatened to arrest the king as a last option if he doesn’t first vacate Narayanhiti voluntarily.
“We’ll decide on implementing a republic and then send a notice or letter to the king. The question comes of voluntarily vacating Nayanhiti. If he doesn’t leave the legal procedure comes in then.”
Kiran said arrest was the legal option.
Kiran also revealed Maoists will attempt to amend the interim constitution to make Prachanda president—the party’s first option to lead a government.
There’s no provision for an executive president in the constitution.
‘And now call it a prime minister and a head of state in the form of a president. Without being a president, the form will be there,” he said.
Prachanda said CPN (Maoist) will push for an executive president but will compromise on a prime minister also officiating as a head of state.
If Congress and CPN-UML don’t join a Maoist-led government, the party will move ahead alone, Kiran said.
“Moving the movement’s ship then comes naturally. We’re ready for that. Either alone, or whoever comes. We’ll move incorporating them,” Prachanda’s ideologue said.
Forum Coordinator Upendra Yadav said the first CA meeting cannot declare a republic by abolishing monarchy.
“It is impossible for the first meting of the CA to abolish monarchy. Those who are saying that the first CA meeting will abolish monarchy are fooling the people,” The Himalayan Times Quoted Yadav as saying in Dharan Wednesday.
DEATH OF SEVEN PARTIES
‘We should move ahead with political parties and groups approved by the people through elections,” Dr Baburam Bhattarai told Rajdhani Thursday as speculation mounts who lead a new government.
“Mention was made in the constitution of seven parties because they launched the movement yesterday. Can’t forever say seven parties now. All should move ahead with the fresh people’s mandate,” he added.
‘It’s our feeling that past bad feelings will narrow down and an environment will be created for national unity.. It’s for the king to decide,” Bhattarai said to a Maoist desire for the king to voluntarily step down.
Nnnn


v

Counting of votes complete; Maoists collect 29.28 percent votes counting complete

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 24 April: With complete results in, Maoists have gathered 29.28 percent [3.14 million votes] in the 10 April assembly election leading in the indirect elections for 335 seats as well.
Official results will be announced later Thursday; vote counting was completed Wednesday night.
Nepali Congress collected 21.14 percent (2.26 million) and CPN-UML 20.33 (2.18 million) votes respectively.
MPRF, TMDP and RPP were placed fourth, fifth and sixth in the election tally with 6.32 percent (678,327), 3.16 percent (338,93) and RPP (262, 453 votes) respectively.
Maoists may collect 105, NC and CPN-UML 74 and 71 seats respectively, according to Annapurna Post to its Thursday editions.
Fourm ,TMDP, RPP and CPN (ML) collecting 22, 12 , eight and seven seats each.
NSP, Janamorcha, CPN (United) and RPP-Nepal- could collect five, five,, four and three seats each.
Rashtriya Janamorcha, , NMKP and RJP could get three, two and twos eats each.
Maoists collected 240 seats in direct elections.
Twenty-one more members will be nominated by government.
Nepali Congress central committee is reviewing its electoral defeat later Thursday; CPN-UML will hold such a meeting Sunday.
Effort will now focus on government formation with Maoists taking the way to form a coalition government under it.
Congress is reluctant to give up power despite defeat at the polls with an unimpressive showing unlike the CPN-UML which quit immediately after the vote.
Politics is uncertain.
Nnnn

Generals ask Koirala not to quit

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 23 April: Seventeen generals of Nepal Army gave their concerned personal assessment that the just concluded election was rigged Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala at a special secret hour-long meeting during new year’s day reception, Bishnumani Bhattarai reports in Janaastha.
They asked him to relinquish the leadership of the country.
The meeting was conducted at a special hall at army headquarters.
Chief of the Army Gen Rukmangud Katawal was silent.
Before the meeting began, Koirala asked for suggestions.
A source at the meeting said the prime minister indicated he could lead the government.
“OK. I’m ready to sacrifice for the country by remaining in office,” Koirala said.
nnnn

Indian embassy calls Nepal meeting in Patna

Kathmandu, 23 April: To review its Nepal policy after Maoists were elected in assembly elections India is organizing a two-day Nepal seminar from Friday 25 April in Patna where Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee will be the chief guest, Janaasthta reports.
Shyam Saran Mukherjee and Lok Raj Baral are presenting working papers.
Indian embassy is paying travel and other expenses of participants who are also journalists and SD Muni.
The seminar is being held after Maoist victory in elections.
Nnnn

Mukherjee gets a mouthful

Kathmandu, 23 April: Indian ambassador Shib Shankar Mukherjee got a mouthful from a Congress leader in Queen’s English at a new year’s day reception at Army Headquarters. Janaanstha.
“During your tenure your assistance was remarkable. Hope you succeed in making extreme communists successful in your country like in Nepal,” the politician said.
Mukherjee walked away.
nnnn

Folk singer Krishna Bikram Thapa dead

Kathmandu, 23 April: Popular folk singer Krishna Bikram Thapa, 65, died Wednesday morning.
He sang such popular songs like ‘Sihdhuli gadi ghumera herda’.
He is survived by a wife, four sons and one daughter.
Nnnn

State Dept. spokesman not sure of Maoist review

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 23 April: Even as Speaker Subash Newang claimed US was re-considering to lift Washington’s terrorist list on Nepal’s Maoists, quoting US ambassador Nancy J.Powell, State Department Spokesman Tom Casey said,” Well, I’m not sure, what, if any discussions, are going on in that regard.”
Newang and Powell held discussions this week; Newang quoted Powell as saying meetings in Washington were reviewing the list after Maoists are expected to lead a government following victory in elections.
i“But I can’t tell you at this point whether there is, in fact, an ongoing review related to Nepal,” the spokesman said this week according to a Indo-Asian News Service report published in The Himalayan Times.
He even said here’s no change in US outlook towards Maoists ‘at this point’..
“At this point, you know, there’s no change in their status, and we’ll follow the law as appropriate.”
He said an organization must
end its association with terrorism for de-listing; the only change is Maoists have been elected.
“I’m sure to the extent that any movement ends its association with terrorism and can do so in a way that would match those or meet those legal hurdles, that we’d certainly take a look at it.
“But I can’t tell you at this point whether there is, in fact, an ongoing review related to Nepal,” Casey said.
Powell is flying to Washington this week for consultations.
nnnn

American climber with Free Tibet flag sent back from Everest

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 23 April: An unidentified American climber with a Free Tibet flag has been sent back to the Nepalese capital from Mount Everest after government even deployed the army to stop what Nepal’s considers anti-China on the 8848 meters activities on the 8848 meters world’s tallest peak.
The flag was discovered after a security check on members of the Eco-Everest Expedition 2008, The Kathmandu Post said.
Government has even given shooting orders to army and police personnel attached with foreign expeditions to prevent pro-Tibet protests.
The government has even banned 31 expedition members to climb beyond the second camp[6,200m] until 10 May; Chinese are expected to carry the Olympic torch beyond to the top of the world by that time.
Nepal and Tibet share the route to the common summit beyond 8,000.
Climbers from the south in Nepal could obstruct activities from the north in China beyond that point.
Nnnn

Last member of the gang of three leaves

Kathmandu, 23 April: Indian Ambassador Shin Shankar Mukherjee, the third and last member of the ‘gang of three’ leaves Wednesday after completing a nearly four-year mission in Nepal.
He along with British Ambassador Keith Bloomfield and US Ambassador James F. Moriarty, currently posted in Bangladesh, led a public campaign against the rule that was toppled in April 2006.
Mukherjee was been appointed High Commissioner in London and Bloomfield retired after completing his Nepal assignment.
They make public statements against the head of state, according to the foreign ministry, disregarding diplomatic dorms and practices and against accepted conventions.
Mukherjee leaves Nepal after Maoists scored a stunning victory in constitutional assembly elections 10 April.
The foreign ministry ignored an Indian embassy request to issue a denial Mukherjee’s wife was involve din a shoplifting incident at a capital’s department store.
Nnnn

Maoist central meet begins

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 22 April: Maoist central headquarter meeting
Tuesday decided to cooperate with other parties while leading the government.
The meeting called to discuss government formation and future party strategy was the first after it was elected the largest party in the 601-member constituent assembly without gaining a majority.
Some senior leaders in Congress are putting hurdles in the appointment of Chairman Prachanda as prime minister arguing he needs a two-thirds majority to replace incumbent Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala as per a provision in the interim constitution.
Prachanda is now pushing to be the prime minister although the party projected him as the country’s first executive president because there’s no such provision in the interim constitution.
Senior leader Jhalanath Khanal Tuesday
asked Prachanda to control excess against continuing excesses against CPN-UML workers as one pre-condition for cooperation after withdrawing from government following a humiliating defeat.
Maoists need such cooperation to implement their agenda in and out of government; a two-thirds majority in required to approve every article in the proposed constitution.
Nnnn

China lauds Nepal deployment of troops on Everest


By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 22 April: Chinese has applauded the deployment of Nepalese troops on Mount Everest to prevent obstruction of Chinese efforts to take the Olympic torch to the top of the top of the world from 1 to 10 May.
Nepal has attached troops with foreign expeditions climbing the 8848 meters peak from the Nepalese side to even forcibly stop climbers from obstructing the torch relay.
Climbers have been prevented from climbing beyond 6,500 meters before 10 May.
Thirty-one expeditions are climbing Everest from this spring; the peak lies astride the Nepal-Tibet border.
Chinese ambassador Zheng Xiaglin conveyed the appreciation to Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala at a meeting Monday.
But Zheng told Koirala Tibetan refugees were continuing daily anti-China protests in front of the embassy despite Nepal’s support for a one China policy.
Nnnn

s
v

US to work with a Maoist-led government

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 21 April: With the emergence of a clear picture of the 10 April constitution assembly, USA has decided to assist even a government led by Maoists.
Speaker Subash Newang said Monday he got this message following discussions with US Ambassador Nancy J. Powell who, according to Newang, also said Washington was considering de-listing Maoists from the US terrorist list.
Newang said he took the initiative and raised the two issues with Powell.
Until now, USA had denied funds to ministries headed by five Maoist ministers in government.
Maoists have collected 120 of the 239 declared seats in direct elections for the CA election—one short of a majority.
Maoists will be the largest party in the 601-member assembly.
Maoists have no chance of capturing the one and last constituency where vote counting continues in the tarai—the party is trailing behind two parties.
Maoists will only capture 30 percept plus seats in indirect elections for 335 seats under proportional representation system.
No party will get a majority in the CA when the final poll result comes in –probably two weeks later.
Voter turnout in the election was 61 percent and five percent of ballots cast in 239 of 240 constituencies were invalid, the Election Commission said.
National voter turn out in national elections since the panchayat days was 64 percent.
The lower turnout raises serious questions on the legitimacy of the constituent assembly to take major decisions on state structures.
Altogether 210 males were elected.
Nnnn

China appraises PM Tibetan refugees
Kathmandu, 21 April: The Chinese ambassador to Nepal Monday reminded Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala Tibetan refugees were continuing anti-China activities.
Refugees resumed protests in front of the Chinese embassy after assembly elections. The protests were suspended during the vote amid threats by government to crackdown on the daily sit-ins and protests.
Koirala wished the August Beijing Olympics a success.
Nepal has mobilized army and police to forcibly quell Free Tibet activities by climbers, foreign and Nepalis, during climbs of Everest this spring.
Nnnn
v

No Maoist majority in direct votes
By Bhola B Rana
Kathmandu, 21 April: Maoists have been denied a majority a majority in direct elections in the 10 April for constituent assembly election.
They have bagged only 120 of the officially announced 239 seats and la behind in vote counting in vote counting in the last constituency.
Final result in expected later Monday.
Maoists will be the single largest party in the assembly..
Kamala Sharma, widow of CPN-UML candidate Rishi Sharma killed during electioneering, was elected from Surkhet.
Maoists lead in vote counting in indirect elections collecting 30 percent plus votes.
Altogether 21 of 54 parties that contested elections will be represented in CA calculated on one seat for 32,000 votes in indirect elections for 335 seats.
Meanwhile, Speaker Subash Newang has begun consultations on convening the constituent assembly meeting.
He held discussions Sunday with Chief Election Commissioner Bhoj Raj Pokhrel and former CPN-UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal.
Nnnn


Inglorious departure of Indian ambassador

By Bhola B Rana
Kathmandu, 21 April: Indian Ambassador Shib Shankar Mukherjee wanted to return home and take up a new assignment as India’s high commissioner in Great Britain on a triumphant note by installing Nepali Congress of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and ‘moderate communists’ CPN-UML to power following CA elections.
But Maoists have been swept to power leaving New Delhi perplexed; they are still fuzzy on how to handle elected former rebels who have turned foe.
Mukherjee was given the task to ‘manage ‘ the election but the results didn’t cooperate with him.
Rakesh Sood, is flying in from Kabul later Monday to replace Mukherjee in what promises to take up a tricky assignment for managing India’s interests with Maoists in control, weekly newspaper Tarun reported Monday.
Mukherjee was asked to stay on and oversee elections even after his official appointment to London.
Just at that time, published reports said the ambassador’s wife was involved in a shoplifting incident at a departmental store—a report denied by the embassy but not the store.
The embassy even asked the foreign ministry to issue a denial—a demand that the government never met.
Nnnn

Nepal to ban food exports

Kathmandu, 22 April: Nepal will ban the export of grains as government expects a food crisis with spiraling price of rice, Nepal Samacharpatra reports.
Rice is the country’s staple crop.
A government agreement to ban exports was reached Sunday.
Nnnn

Difference in Maoist rank on how to handle king

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 22 April: Differences have emerge din the upper Maoist echelon on how to handle monarchy after their electoral victory in assembly elections.
CPN (Maoist) has emerged as the largest party in the 601-member assembly and has staked a claim to form government.
Maoists are confused on how to handle monarchy.
The royal palace Sunday denied national and foreign reports King Gyanendra was leaving the country.
The denial came even as Chairman Prachanda said there will be an honourable place for the king if he leaves voluntarily to make way for a republic. His deputy Dr Baburam Bhattarai even said the king even be given cultural responsibilities.
This was promptly denied by two militants in the CPN (Maoist)—Ram Bahadur Thapa ‘Badal’ and Barsha Man Pun.
‘The king won’t be given any responsibility,” Badal said.
Nepali Congress and CPN-UML, the biggest parties after Maoists in the CA, may not join Maoists in any government they head.
CPN-UML has already quit government following the election verdict and Congress rank and file have urged the party not to join a Maoist-led government.
‘They need a two-thirds majority to form a government. They don’t even have a simple majority,” Finance Minister Dr Ram Sharan Mahat (Conresss) of the transitional government said.
Pun told state –owned Radio Nepal Maoists are keen to draft a constitution within one year ahead of two and half years given in an interim legislation.
With a mood of non-cooperation in the Congress, amid charges of widespread poll rigging by Maoists, it may take even longer than 30 months to draft a basic law.
“Two-third majority is needed to approve every article. There’s a provision for a referendum if there’s no agreement,” top Congress leader Hom Nath Dahal said.
The charge of rigging has come too late.
The government headed by the party which also controlled the home ministry called elections despite the lack of a secure internal environment under Indian and US pressure even as the countryside was under Maoist control and the tarai was sunder the thumbs of rebels in the south.
International observers have given their stamp of approval, including Jimmy Carter and EU observers.
Besides, the Maoist strength is so overwhelming in the CA the opposition has very little room to play except filibuster.
Another CA election will be a mockery.
Maoists and Nepal face difficult times ahead.
Nnnn

BJP cautions Maoists on anti-India and anti-Hindu stances

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 20: The party waiting to form a government in New Delhi cautioned Maoists not to adopt anti-India or anti-Hindu stances.
The main opposition BJP central officials adopted the stance at a meeting Friday.
“Till recently, Nepal was a Hindu nation and because it was Hindu nation, it dealt equitably with tis citizens belonging to other faiths. Now, Nepal is being declared a secular state. We hope that under the new dispensation, Nepal will not become anti-Hindu and anti-India,” a resolution said, according to The Kathmandu Post.
BJP asked Maoists not to be like Cambodia’s Pol Pot or North Korea and ensure freedom and opposition views.
The meeting asked the government to follow the fluid situation in Nepal closely.
Nnnn

Nepal deploys army, police on Everest to prevent Free Tibet activities

Kathmandu, 20 April: Possibly for the first time, Nepal has deployed dozens of army and police personnel on Mount Everest in a bid to foil any Free Tibet movement against China as Tibetan activists have threatened to spoil the Olympic torch relay, The Kathmandu Post reports in its Sunday editions.
… 25 army and police personnel have reached camp II (6,500m) with logistics and mountaineering gear to prevent any activities against China, confirmed spokesman of Home Ministry Mod Raj Hotel. These personnel have received special mountaineering training.
Dotel said that the security personnel have been instructed to open fire if protests against China turn violent and go out of control in the Everest region.
“If the security personnel feel pressure to control any untoward incident, we have made aan arrangement to deploy additional forces during Olympics torch run,” said Dotel…
Krishna Prasad Gyanwali, under-secretary at the Ministry of Tourism, said the army personnel [11 offices] would accompany expedition teams as liaison officers and would ensure that no climber goes above camp II before May 11.

… the government was forced to deploy security forces so that no potential protestor would be able to climb the peak and organize any anti-China movement from the Nepalese side.

[Note: Civilian LOs often stay in the capital taking perks from expeditions per rules and don’t monitor expedition activities at base camp. This is the first time security personnel have been attached to expeditions with specific instruction to stop anti-China Free Tibet activities. But this is not the first time LOs have been appointed.]
nnnn


No Maoist talks with USA on government formation; other details

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 20 April: Maoists aren’t in talks with representatives of US government they hope to lead as the largest party after the 10 April assembly elections.
Maoists are still on Washington’s terrorist list and hope they will be de-listed after the electoral triumph.
‘Except for the USA, we are engaged in diplomatic consultations with India, China, European Union and diplomats of other countries..” CP Gajurel, party foreign affairs chief said.
Chairman Prachanda held discussions with Indian Ambassador Shib Shankar Mukherjee Sunday.
India, in also in a dilemma on how to handle Maoists after banking on a Congress, CPN-UML victory.
Congress (I) of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi doesn’t have relations with Nepal’s Maoists—a relationship that India’s ruling party was attempting to forge after helping to propel it to power.
Ties between India and Maoists soured after the former rebels joined the political mainstream in April 2006.
In an effort to develop ties, Indian officials have been trying hard to sell the idea that Nepal’s Maoists and India’s Naxalites don’t have operational links.
India is now trying to project the government of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, with which it had extensive relations, as illegitimate.
Nnnn

No majority for Maoists even in direct elections

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 20 April: Maoists won’t get a majority, as expected earlier, in direct elections as well elections as well.
Final results for direct elections for 240 seats in the CA will come in Monday, election officials said.
CPN (Maoist) has bagged 118 of 235 seats declared so far and are leading in two constituencies where vote counting in progress; Madesh Janaadhikar Forum is leading in two other constituencies and CPN-UML in one.
Congress, CPN-UML, Fourm, Tarai Madesh Loktantrik Party and NSP (Mahoti)have collected 37, 32, 28, nine and four seats each.
Janamorcha Napal, Nepal Majdoor Kishan Party and independents have won two seats each; Rashtriya Janamorcha has won one seat.
Mahanata Thakur who defected to TMLP from Congress was defeated by Forum candidate Shiba Pujan Raya by 272 votes in Sarlahi-1. Thakur, a close friend of Premier Koirala and top Congress party functionary, led the rebellion in the party to join the regional party he launched.
Amresh Singh, described in the Nepali media as a RAW plant in Baluwatar and Congress, came third behind Thakur.
Altogether 21 parties, elected directly and indirectly, will be represented in the CA; Maoists also lead in vote counting for indirect elections.
Nnnn


Royal palace denial

Kathmandu, 20 April: The royal palace Sunday denied what it described as ‘imaginary’ news relating to it.
The three sentence denial didn’t way what the news was though.
But some foreign media reports have said the king was going into exile after assembly election results in which Maoists have emerged as the largest party in the 601-member constituent assembly.
Top Maoist leaders, through public statements, have asked the king to quit.
Nnnn

Election complete in Nepal
By Bhola B Rana
Kathmandu, 20 April: The election process ended Saturday for the 601-member constitution assembly election 2008 without CPN (Maoist) gaining a majority and vote counting still continuing.
Final results of Nepal’s first assembly election to draft a constitution should be in by the week; the elected assembly members will replace the Girija Prasad Koirala government installed in April 2006 through street protests and foreign pressures. The assembly will also will replace the interim parliament reinstated by the king through a ‘ political decision’ by domestic and international pressure.
Nepal, has for the first time, an elected body ion nine years.
Maoists are the largest party in the assembly and won’t muster an overall majority in the assembly that has the difficult task to draft a constitution in 30 months.
With results still trickling in, Maoists have bagged 118 of the 233 seats declared so far with seven more results to be announced.
Chitra Bahadur KC, Chairman of Rashtriya Janamorcha Nepal, was elected from Baglung and Pushpa Bhusal of Nepali Congress from Argakanchi.
Congress is the second largest party with 36 and CPN-UML with 32 seats; Madesh Janaadhikar Forum (MJF), Tarai Madesh Loktantrik Party (TMLP) and Nepal Sadbavana Party (NSP) have won 27, nine and four seats each.
Nepal Majdoor Kishan Party (NMKP), Janamorcha Nepal and independents have bagged two seats each.
Only seven of 54 parties that registered for elections won.
Maoists also lead in vote counting in indirect elections collecting 2.7 million of the 9.1 million votes tallied so far.
Congress and CPN-UML have collected 1.98 and 1.91 million votes so far.
The SPAM is dead with the election even as they tried to impose themselves on the people and the nation through an undemocratic constitutional provision to maintain the coalition after the vote. Premier Koirala even said the coalition should continue for another decade.
The SPAM is also dead because the country not only has elected members but NSP (D) wasn’t elected.
The tarai is now represented by Madesh Janaadhikar Forum (MJF), Tarai Madesh Loktantrik Party (TMLP) and Nepal Sadbavana Party (NSP-Mohoto) with 27, nine and four seats respectively in the assembly.
The parties that jointly and successfully launched a strike pushing regional demands ahead of elections weren’t represented in the government that conducted elections and the next government can’t run the country or draft an acceptable constitution ignoring them.
Unity between the trio was short-lived as they failed to workout an electoral adjustment but they will be the largest coalition in the assembly with 38 members so far—Congress has only 36 and the CPN-UML 32.
Age, sickness and humiliating defeat will finally see the political eclipse of octogenarian Koirala; Sher Bahadur Deuba, elected from two constituencies in the frontrunner to takeover the Congress Party leadership with the decimation of the Koirala family and coterie in elections; challenger Ram Chandra Paudel survived.
Not a single member of RPP, RPP-Nepal and Rashtriya Janasakti Party (RJP), conservative parties with panchayat roots, was elected. But they will represented in the assembly through indirectly elected members to be nominated by the parties.
Because such members cannot be defeated candidates of assembly elections, Pashupati SJB Rana, Kamal Thapa and Surya Bahadur Thapa will be out the assembly. Girija will be in because he didn’t contest elections.
Regional demands will now dominate the national scene and the domination of politics by Congress will be over since its vote bank in a tarai has been smashed; Congress will never recover it when the MJF, TMLP and NSP reinforce their gain.
The three parties achieved what the NSP funded and led by Gajendra Naraian Singh never achieved since 1990.
Nnnn


Place of honour for king; soft towards USA: Prachanda

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 20 April: An elected Chairman Prachanda has begun talking soft about the king and USA.
Prachanda said there will be an ‘honourable’ place for the king if he voluntarily gives way for a republic.
‘The people will keep yesterday’s king in an honourable position while at the same time it will be easier to create an environment for an honourable place if the king respects democratic sentiments and voluntarily clears the way for a republic,” Prachanda said in newsmagazine Nepal Sunday.
The sentiment reflects the difficulties in implementing the republican agenda of the Maoists after election victory; victory has mellowed Maoists as they make final preparations to seize Singha Durbar.
Maoists want the king to clear the way for them; such an act will ‘create an unique record’, according to Prachanda.
The Maoist chief said such a proposal is being discussed and will possibly be taken up with the king personally.
Why are Maoists pushing such a proposal?
This was being proposed for the ‘country’s independence and people’s unity” but ‘not to retain monarchy in some form or other but to save the country’s independence with an easy outlet, ’ Prachanda said in reply to a question the proposal may be rejected by the king.
According to Prachanda’s and Maoist scheme, the first meeting of the assembly will not vote or discuss a republic.
‘It will only be declared or implemented,” Prachanda said.
Baburam Bhattarai told Kantipur TV earlier Saturday talked of undefined ‘cultural rights and privy purse’ for the king is the king leaves voluntarily.
‘USA is changing its terrorist policy,” Prachanda said adding he based this assumption of a meetings with Jimmy Carter and an unidentified American delegation.
Prachanda said the party preparing to assume power may no longer call USA imperialists.
‘But will continue to oppose in our debate on what is imperialism and what it is,” he said in reply to a question.
Nnnn

Kathmandu, 18 April: An Indian-registered French-manufaturedhelicopetr was detained with crew for flying deep into Nepal without permission, Nepal Samacharpoatra reports.
The chopper was asked to land at the cpital’s airport Thurdsdaymorning as it was flying between thew cpaital and Simara.
The newspaper said the three-memebr crew will be releaed after furether quesioning.
Nnnn

Maoists won’t get majority in CA; other details

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 17 April: A majority will elude the Maoists in the 601-member constituent assembly although they will get clear majority of the directly elected seats.
CPN (Maoist) have bagged 119 seats and require only two more to collect a majority of the directly seats in the assembly as vote counting progresses.
A majority will elude Maoists as they have gathered only 32 percent votes in 100 constituencies where counting has been completed in in direct elections; this trend is likely to continue. Congress and CPN-UML trail behind in second and third positions.
In direct elections were held for another 335 seats in the assembly;
Maoists can’t collect a combined strength of 301 seats in the CA.
Uncertainty reigns in Nepali politics after the 10 April vote.
Nepali Congress Thursday didn’t follow CPN-UML in quitting the lame-duck government of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala.
The party’s central committee meeting one week later on 24 April will decide whether to join a Maoist-led government or not.
An informal party central committee meeting Thursday decided to continue in government and asked district units to submit a report by Tuesday on the reasons for the party’s election debacle.
Amid uncertain politics peace prevails.
KING
Dr Baburam Bhattarai said the first CA meeting will implement a parliamentary decision for a democratic federal republic.
“Monarchy will end after a republic is enforced,” the second Maoist leader said.
Bhattarai ruled out voting on monarchy in the CA.
“A decision has already been taken; it has to be implemented,” Bhattarai added.
Chairman Prachanda attempted to calm the fears of the business community as stock prices tumbled for the second day with the victory of the Maoists at the polls at the cost of Nepali Congress.
"Our policy is to prioritize domestic investment and at the same time attract foreign investment. We will make an environment that ensures both an environment for investment and profit," Prachanda said.
MADESH
Upendra Yadav, leader of the Madesh Janatantrik Forum, has warned the ruling seven parties any attempt by them to isolate or ignore the largest political party in the south pushing regional demands will be counterproductive.
Even before the election, seven parties had included a provision in the constitution a government of the seven parties should continue even after election—reflecting their dictatorial tendencies to impose themselves on the people.
He said people conceiving of trying to rule by isolating Forum are only day-dreaming; he was obviously hinting at Maoists from whom Yadav disassociate himself to join regional politics.
Any future government cannot ignore the Tarai Madesh Loktantrik party (TMLP) and the NSP (Mahoto) elected to the assembly with more than 30 combined seats in the assembly.
They are not represented in the government; members of the TMLP and NSP quit or were ousted form the Koirala government.
Nnnn







Congress sets conditions for pre-conditions to cooperate with Maoists
By Bhola B Rana
Kathmandu, 18 April: Humiliatingly defeated by Maoists in CA polls, Nepali Congress Friday set pre-conditions for future cooperation with the CPN (Maoist).
Maoist Chairman Prachanda sought cooperation for a smooth hand-over and cooperation in drafting a constitution and government formation at a meeting with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala Friday—the second meeting in two days.
Congress sought return of seized assets and creation for an environment for such cooperation, party sources said.
But PM Koirala’s Congress went to the polls even before Maoists met the Congress pre-condition for the return of seized assets before the 10 April assembly polls.
Maoists have won the vote and continue to hold the seized assets.
Meanwhile, Peace Minister and top Congress leader Ram Chandra Paudel told Kantipur his party has opted to continue in office until the formation of a new government to prevent a political crisis.
‘The central committee decided the prime minister who is also the officiating head of state has to hand-over power to the next government ," Kantipur quoted Paudel as saying.
Former CPM-UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal, who quit after his party’s defeat in elections, told Prachanda Thursday YCL must be disbanded before the party can join a Maoist government.
Nepal Thursday rejected Prachanda’s request to rejoin the government.
Meanwhile, violence continues in the tarai even after elections.
Defeated RPP-Nepal candidate Rudra P Singh was shot dead in Nawalparasi Friday.
The body of van driver Rajesh KC was found in Kapilvastu overnight.
A group abducted KC along with his van several days ago.
US, MAOISTS
CPI(Marxist) has asked the federal government in New Delhi government to to disassociate itself with the US ‘negative’ stand against Nepal’s Maoists.
"The government should now make it clear that it has nothing in common with the negative and hostile stand taken by the US which treats the Maoists as a terrorist organization," a statement said Thursday.
The party asked the government to work with Nepal’s Maoists.
India and USA, coordinating policy, had banked on a victory of Congress and the CPN-UML to isolate the Maoists in Nepal; they face an enigma.
They initially welcomed the election but have been fuzzy after the Maoist victory.
Times of India, which is close to the establishment in New Delhi, even has called the Koirala government ‘lacking in legitimacy’ as India attempts to find a formula to work with a Maoist-led government.
Washington and New Delhi will have to deal with such a government for nearly three years when parliamentary elections should be held after constitution drafting deadline.
The margin of Maoist victory is so big , the former rebels cannot be toppled and international observers have already certified the election and free and fair.
If monarchy is toppled, there will be no check and balance in Nepali politics.
Sher Bahadur Deuba, the likely successor of premier Koirala, has already said it’s up to Maoists to decide whether to get rid of monarchy through an assembly decision.
The election result has given monarchy a big change.
Maoists will be closer to a complete takeover in the Himalayan kingdom with the declaration of a republic.
Congress alone cannot stop Maoists.
nnnn

Tibetan refugees resume daily protests

Kathmandu, 18 April: Tibetan refugees have resumed their anti-China protests in the Nepalese capital and the resort town of Pokhara after the 110 April elections.
They held protests in front of the Chinese embassy Wednesday and Thursday an indications are the protests will continue.
The protests will be a headache for Maoists waiting to form a government.
Maoists have now replaced the Nepali Congress at the biggest legitimate political force in Nepal through elections, thanks to the short-sighted policy trying to smashing ‘democracy and the constitution’ to under in another ‘democracy and constitution’.
This process will be unending now.
The assembly won’t seal a final constitution for Nepal which has had, on an average, one constitution very 10 years.
So-called democrats shred the last constitution drafted by representatives of parties who are supposed to be representatives of the people.
Nnnn

Maoists need two more seats for majority in direct vote

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 16 April: Maoists need two more seats to gain a majority in direct vote count for the 10 April constituent assembly elections.
They have collected 119 seats of the 224 results announced so far—two short of a majority; 240 assembly members are directly elected.
Maoists also lead in vote count for indirect votes;; they have collected 1.43 million of the 4.47 million votes cast in vote count followed by Congress and CPN-UML.
The assembly has altogether 601 directly and indirectly members.
On party order, five ministers and two ministers of state of CPN-UML collectively resigned submitting resignations to Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala Wednesday.
CPN-UMP team leader Foreign Minister Sahana Pradhan revealed Koirala asked the ministers to reconsider their decision.
“We will take in the constitution drafting process,” and revealed Koirala asked the ministers to withdraw their resignations.
Congressman Ramesh Rijal and Janamorcha Chairman Amik Serchan were elected from Parsa and Chitwan—Serchan was supported by Maoists..
Twenty-three women have been selected so far, 20 on Maoist tickets.
Altogether 224 results in direct elections have been announced so far.
Congress, CPN-UML and Madesh Janatantrik Forumhave gathered 34, 31, and 24 seats respectively.
Congress vice-president Prakash Man Singh said Wednesday his party shouldn’t form a government led by Maoists.
nnnn
Maoists need two more seats for majority in direct vote

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 16 April: Maoists need two more seats to gain a majority in direct vote count for the 10 April constituent assembly elections.
They have collected 119 seats of the 224 results announced so far—two short of a majority; 240 assembly members are directly elected.
Maoists also lead in vote count for indirect votes;; they have collected 1.43 million of the 4.47 million votes cast in vote count followed by Congress and CPN-UML.
The assembly has altogether 601 directly and indirectly members.
On party order, five ministers and two ministers of state of CPN-UML collectively resigned submitting resignations to Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala Wednesday.
CPN-UMP team leader Foreign Minister Sahana Pradhan revealed Koirala asked the ministers to reconsider their decision.
“We will take in the constitution drafting process,” and revealed Koirala asked the ministers to withdraw their resignations.
Congressman Ramesh Rijal and Janamorcha Chairman Amik Serchan were elected from Parsa and Chitwan—Serchan was supported by Maoists..
Twenty-three women have been selected so far, 20 on Maoist tickets.
Altogether 224 results in direct elections have been announced so far.
Congress, CPN-UML and Madesh Janatantrik Forumhave gathered 34, 31, and 24 seats respectively.
Congress vice-president Prakash Man Singh said Wednesday his party shouldn’t form a government led by Maoists.
nnnn

Maoists three seats away from majority

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 16 April: Maoists are thee swears away from majority in the direct elections for 240 seats of constituent assembly and have secured 118 seats so far.
They will easily get the majority with results in other districts still to come in.
They are leading in vote counting for indirect elections in which CPM (Maoist) have collected 30 percent plus votes.
Congress, CPN-UML, Madesh Janaaadhikar Forum and Tarai Madesh Loktantric Party have gathered 33, 30, 23 and seven seats so far.
Nepal Majdoor Kishan Party, Sadbavana and independents have secured two seats eash while Janamorcha Nepal has got one seat.
Re-polling is being held in several booths in Rautahat and Mohottari Wednesday after irregularities in elections on 10 April.
CPN-UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal is submitting the party’s collective resignation from government to Prime MInister Girija Prasad Koirala later Wednesday, party mouthpiece Budhabar said.
Uncertainly but calm prevails with an imminent takeover of government by Maoists; Koirala, with the backing of India, USA and EU helped deliver Singha Durbar to Maoists.
A stunned Congress hasn’t yet issued an official reaction to its defeat at the hands of Maoists but several members have demanded withdrawal from government.
Maoists will be in power for at least two and half years—the time allotted for drafting the constitution; another election has to be held only after the constitution is drafted.
Share prices tumbled 26 points after the uncertainty following the Maoist victory. A senior Nepal Army Officer said Tuesday the army will follow any order of an elected government.
State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack was silent Sunday on working with a government possibly led Maoists as the majority party in the constituent assembly, Bhola B Rana reported for People’s News.
The statement made no mention of working with a future successor government of PM Girija Prasad Koirala.
The statement only talked of constitution drafting and a document that reflects the will of the people.
"We look forward to the formation of an assembly that reflects the will of the Nepali people, ready to begin the important work of framing a constitution that addresses their needs," McCormack said..
He said there was ‘considerable violence and intimidation during the pre-election period, and some instances of voting irregularities on election day" and added ‘voters were able to cast their ballots peacefully in most districts’.
United States urges patience and nonviolent observance of the democratic process, he added.
The result is a setback for US diplomacy in Nepal.
An embassy statement earlier asked all sides to respect the election result.
Maoists have staked a claim to form a government following their victory in election.
Nnnn

Maoists about to seize power in Nepal
By Bhola B Rana
Kathmandu, 15 April: Maoists are about to seize power legitimately through elections and not the bullet helped by Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and the international community, particularly India and USA.
Washington has remained silent to the Maoist juggernaut after initially asking all to accept the election result.
CPN (Maoist) is just five seats away from victory in the proposed constituent assembly with 601 seats for which elections were held 10 April election after two failed attempts.
With the majority Maoists can ramrod agenda for a republic and strong presidential system of government with Chairman Prachanda as Nepal’s first executive president and his deputy Dr Baburam Bhattarai as prime minister.
Maoists have collected 116 of the 209 direct seats declared so far and are leading in constituencies where vote counting is in progresses.
Vote counting is being held in eight constituencies where there were irregularities 10 April and an outright Maoist victory in elections could be announced later Tuesday..
They lead in vote counting for indirect elections securing 32 percent total votes nationwide.
Nepali Congress, CPM-UML and Madesh Janaadhikar Forum (MMF) have won 33,28 and 21 seats respectively; Tarai Madesh Loktantrik Party (TMLP), Nepal Sadbavana Party have six and two seats each while Janamorcha and independent candidate have won one seat each.
JMF has established itself as the largest political party in the region bordering the states on West Bengal, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh where Naxalites are active. Main opposition BJP is concerned with links of Nepal’s Maoists with the Naxalites.
Although the ruling parties have supported Maoists, BJP has come out openly against the Nepali communists supporting monarchy and a Hindu state.
The JMP has established itself as the dominant force in the south protesting an interim constitution imposed by the current seven parties demanding greater political representation.
The demands have already fueled an independence movement by more radical groups that opposed the election.
MJF, NSP and TMLP will push regional issues in the assembly with their combined strength.
Forum Chairman Upendra Yadav, following his victory in two constituencies, demanded the resignation of Prime mInister Girija Prasad Koirala on moral ground and said his party will work with Maoists for ‘the common good’. Yadav is a defector from the Maoist rank..
Dr Baburam Bhattarai again reiterated a claim to lead government and said ministerial berths in government will distributed on seats obtained in elections.
If the past is an indication , Maoists will push for control of what they call ‘important’ ministries denied them by Congress and Koirala like home. finance and defence ministries to put Nepal Army and police units under Maoist control for effectively administering the country for an effective takeover.
Nepali Congress has remained silent to the Maoist emergence it helped engineer and its own humiliating defeat.
CPN-UML was elected to power as the first communist government in the world when Koirala ordered mid-term elections in 1995; under Koirala’s tutelage, Maoists are entering Singha Durbar with the barrel of the ballot when he ordered thrice postponed elections with Indian and US pressures mainly.
Koirala conspired and expelled UML from power because it was only the largest party in parliament; Koirala and the Congress have no room to play in overturning assembly elections with the massive Maoist majority approved by the international observers including EU observers and Carter Center.
Losers have come criticism saying their observations were superficial bases on observation of voting in accessible areas only.
Ousted Koirala family will have only a limited role in post-assembly politics and Congress and will be forced into insignificant ministries in government.
The Maoist victory has stunned some international capitals that were banking on a Congress victory.
Koirala’s great ‘adventure’- a misadventure- with the assembly he called a ‘gamble’ has ruined his family and party and pushed the nation into an uncertain future.
Koirala will not live to see and fight for another democracy which he wanted to perpetuate forever, in his own words.
CPN-UML, after deciding to quit government after a humiliating defeat, is expected to come out of government later Tuesday after ministers were summoned to the capital.
Prime Minister Koirala discussed post-election Nepal with US Ambassador Nancy J. Powell and British Ambassador Dr Andrew Hall Tuesday morning.
The current parliament is expected to be dissolved after the first assembly session convenes when entire results are announced—the exercise could take at least two pore weeks.
Seven ministers in the government have been defeated; supply minister Shyam Sundar Gupta is the latest victim; all five Maoist ministers won.
Published reports said Tuesday ambassadors from Japan and Norway were the first Kathmandu-based ambassadors to congratulate Prachanda at his residence.
Nnnn

Maoists near majority; foresee difficulty in implementing mandate

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 14 April: Of the 198 results declared so far, Maoists have bagged 109 seats and need 12 more seats for a simple majority in direct elections for 240 seats in the constituent assembly.
Maoists lead in vote counting in districts were ballots are being counted and are assured on a majority to implement their agenda for a republic and a French-style presidential system opposed by Congress and CPN-UML who are pushing a prime ministerial system.
Maoists, during the campaign, projected Chairman Prachanda as Nepal’s first president and Dr Baburam Bhattarai is the head of the Maoist government.
“It’s difficult to implement the mandate; You have to support us with another revolution. There are big challenges,” Bhattarai told a victory rally in Gorkha Monday.
Prithvinarayan Shah began his unification of Nepal 238 years ago from Gorkha with the Nepal Army.
Congress has won 33, CPN-UML 27, Madesh Janaadhikar Forum 18 and Tarai Madesh Loktantrik Party (TMLP) five seats. Nepal Sadbhavana Party and Nepal Majdoor Kishan Party have won two seats each and Janamorcha Nepal and independent have won one seat each.
Forumhas estabklished itself as the main regional party in tarai ahead of late entrant TMLP formed mainly by defectors from Congress, CPN-UML, RJP and RPP.
Vote counting for proportional representation has also started in which Maoists also lead.
Premier Koirala is ensured on a seat in the assembly as he heads his party’s closed list for proportional representation.
Rebel Maoists have defeated Janamorcha Nepal candidates in several constituencies where the party decided to support the smaller communist party in an electoral alliance.
Top leader Lilamani Pokhrel was defeated along with many others; Chairman Amik Serchan may also share a similar fate in a Chitwan constituency where counting has been held up; only one Janamorcha candidate, Health Minister Girirajmani Pokhrel won with Maoist support.
Dr Ram Sharan Mahat and a dozen supporters were injured in Maoist attacks Monday during victory celebrations in Nuwakot where the finance minister won with a narrow majority of 100 plus votes.
Sarad Singh Bhandar, a defector to TMLP from Congress was elected from a Mohottari constituency.
Babar Singh alias Mr John , elected as the only independent, is wanted by police for serial bombings in the capital last year that killed at least three persons.
His relatives collected his election certificate Monday.
Five of 19 ministers in the Koirala cabinet were defeated in
direct elections while all five Maoist ministers won including Hishila Yami, wife of Dr Baburam Bhattarai.
US REACTION DIDN’T COME
A US embassy spokesman give no reaction when asked if the Bush administration will have a working relationship with a government led by Maoists.
The query was made over telephone.
Maoists have staked a claim to led a government with other parties even if they gain a majority in assembly elections.
Maoists are still on a US terrorist list.
The US had earlier linked aid to elections in Nepal.
USA has been coordinating its Nepal with India following a strategic South Asia agreement in 2005/06.
Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee andhis government have welcomed a Maoist victory in Nepal as a ‘positive development’.
India favoured a Congress government after assembly elections and was working closely with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala.
Koirala’s Congress hasn’t officially reacted to the debacle although CPN-UML has decided to withdraw from government after a humiliating defeat at Maoist hands.
When a senior Indian government said New Delhi wanted a Congress victory in elections, Maoists protested vehemently describing the comment as unwanted and undesirable interference in Nepal’s internal affairs.
In latest result from Rautahat, CPN-UML chief has also been defeated from his traditional constituency.
Nnnn




Maoists near majority; foresee difficulty in implementing mandate

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 14 April: Of the 198 results declared so far, Maoists have bagged 109 seats and need 12 more seats for a simple majority in direct elections for 240 seats in the constituent assembly.
Maoists lead in vote counting in districts were ballots are being counted and are assured on a majority to implement their agenda for a republic and a French-style presidential system opposed by Congress and CPN-UML who are pushing a prime ministerial system.
Maoists, during the campaign, projected Chairman Prachanda as Nepal’s first president and Dr Baburam Bhattarai is the head of the Maoist government.
“It’s difficult to implement the mandate; You have to support us with another revolution. There are big challenges,” Bhattarai told a victory rally in Gorkha Monday.
Prithvinarayan Shah began his unification of Nepal 238 years ago from Gorkha with the Nepal Army.
Congress has won 33, CPN-UML 27, Madesh Janaadhikar Forum 18 and Tarai Madesh Loktantrik Party (TMLP) five seats. Nepal Sadbhavana Party and Nepal Majdoor Kishan Party have won two seats each and Janamorcha Nepal and independent have won one seat each.
Forumhas estabklished itself as the main regional party in tarai ahead of late entrant TMLP formed mainly by defectors from Congress, CPN-UML, RJP and RPP.
Vote counting for proportional representation has also started in which Maoists also lead.
Premier Koirala is ensured on a seat in the assembly as he heads his party’s closed list for proportional representation.
Rebel Maoists have defeated Janamorcha Nepal candidates in several constituencies where the party decided to support the smaller communist party in an electoral alliance.
Top leader Lilamani Pokhrel was defeated along with many others; Chairman Amik Serchan may also share a similar fate in a Chitwan constituency where counting has been held up; only one Janamorcha candidate, Health Minister Girirajmani Pokhrel won with Maoist support.
Dr Ram Sharan Mahat and a dozen supporters were injured in Maoist attacks Monday during victory celebrations in Nuwakot where the finance minister won with a narrow majority of 100 plus votes.
Sarad Singh Bhandar, a defector to TMLP from Congress was elected from a Mohottari constituency.
Babar Singh alias Mr John , elected as the only independent, is wanted by police for serial bombings in the capital last year that killed at least three persons.
His relatives collected his election certificate Monday.
Five of 19 ministers in the Koirala cabinet were defeated in
direct elections while all five Maoist ministers won including Hishila Yami, wife of Dr Baburam Bhattarai.
US REACTION DIDN’T COME
A US embassy spokesman give no reaction when asked if the Bush administration will have a working relationship with a government led by Maoists.
The query was made over telephone.
Maoists have staked a claim to led a government with other parties even if they gain a majority in assembly elections.
Maoists are still on a US terrorist list.
The US had earlier linked aid to elections in Nepal.
USA has been coordinating its Nepal with India following a strategic South Asia agreement in 2005/06.
Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee andhis government have welcomed a Maoist victory in Nepal as a ‘positive development’.
India favoured a Congress government after assembly elections and was working closely with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala.
Koirala’s Congress hasn’t officially reacted to the debacle although CPN-UML has decided to withdraw from government after a humiliating defeat at Maoist hands.
When a senior Indian government said New Delhi wanted a Congress victory in elections, Maoists protested vehemently describing the comment as unwanted and undesirable interference in Nepal’s internal affairs.
In latest result from Rautahat, CPN-UML chief has also been defeated from his traditional constituency.
Nnnn



v