Govt. formation runs into trouble

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 17 Aug: Continuing differences over power sharing between CPN (Maoist), CPN-UML and MJF Sunday stalled the formation of Nepal’s first a majority communist government.
Differences continue in Sunday’s tripartite inter and intra-party discussions.
Maoist leader Deb Gurung suggested over Radio Nepal one or two members from each party join government before Monday’s swearing-in of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda as the first elected prime minister in nearly nine years to replace disgraced government of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala.
Foreign and Indian interference reached its zenith during his tenure; he left behind a ruined and divided state with the declaration of a republic with foreign help and intrigues.
But a CPN-UML leader said he doesn’t expect the formation of a government in another ‘two or three days’.
Gurung revealed Maoists opposed CPN-UL control over home, local and water resources ministries that control expenditure over major development works.
Similarly, Gurung revealed MJF wanted control of foreign and communications ministries he described as ‘very important’.
He asked his alliance partners to choose one ministry.
Gurung opposed MJF demand for deputy prime minister berth in government.
Meanwhile, CPN-UML leader Inswor Pokhrel threatened the alliance could fall apart even before it takes final shape threatening it split if Maoists don’t returned seized property and dismantle parallel institutions competing with state units.
But three parties agreed Sunday to sign an agreement on a common minimum programme and code of conduct for governing parties.
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