Control of defense ministry root problem in govt. formation: Jhala Nath Khanal

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 10 Aug: Control of defence ministry is the ‘root problem’ in forming an elected government to replace the caretaker government of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala who has resigned.
“Control of the defence ministry is the root problem,” CPN-UML General Secretary Jhala Nath Khanal said as aspiring parties to lead government continued mainly bilateral discussions Sunday to break a political deadlock in government formation.
“ Nepali Congress and Maoists want control of the defence ministry. There was no agreement in talks today,” Khanal said.
Control of the defence ministry will give a party direct powers to administer Nepal Army.
Congress leaders , including Peace Minister Ram Chandra Paudel, said Maoists can’t be given control of defence as Chairman Prachanda heads the PLA.
Maoist leader Dr Baburam Bhattarai said Congress and other parties are afraid of exposure of malpractices in the home and defence ministries- over which Maoists want to control.
Congress leaders said their party should be handed over the defence ministry as Maoists had agreed to give the home ministry to CPN-UML in a Maoist-led government.
Khanal also said Sunday a consensus government isn’t’ possible by sidelining Maoists who couldn’t assemble such a government in 10 time allotted by President Dr Ram Baran Yadav.
The president Sunday asked the CA to start procedures to elected a majority government.
Maoists said the move by a ceremonial president was unconstitutional as he the president was acting arbitrarily without the advice of a government which is the only body which has powers.
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