PM Prachanda calls for investment in power sector; other details

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 13 Nov: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda Thursday called for international investment in the power sector with participation in Nepal’s economic revolution.
Dahal was addressing the 2nd summit of the eight-nation BIMSTEC in New Delhi before its conclusion with the announcement of a New Delhi Declaration to fight terrorism.
Prachanda proposed a ministerial-level meeting to discuss eradication of poverty in 2009 in the Nepalese capital.
He said the Maoist-led government is giving economic development priority.
Prachanda told reporters Thursday he asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday to release nearly two dozen Maoists in prisons mainly in Bihar and Utter Pradesh.
He said he got a positive response from Singh.
“I am quite happy,” he said in reply to questions from reporters on the outcome of the dialogue.
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President, vice-president hold discussions

Kathmandu, 13 Nov: President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav and controversial Vice-President Parmananda Jha held discussions at the president’s office in Shital Niwas Thursday.
Before the meeting described as regular by Jha, he called for a role in constitution drafting and complained he had no work and even said constituents in government acted illegally by going to the streets against federalism enshrined in the constitution.
Government, political parties and even his own MJF said Jha’s controversial statements were unconstitutional.
Yadav and Jha discussed prevailing political conditions without furnishing details.
Officials attached with the president’s office also said the meeting Thursday was regular.
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CP Mainali expelled

Kathmandu, 13 Nov: A faction in the CPN (ML) has expelled General Secretary CP Mainali from the party stripping him even of ordinary party membership after a three-day meet of rebels.
Rebels, including 10 central and two alternate members, charged Mainali for pro-monarchy, anti-constitutional and anti-republic statements demandinghe should be expelled from the CA.
Central Dibakar Sharma said an ad hoc committee has been formed to run the party.
In retaliation, Mainali announced the expulsion of rebels from the party.
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Sushil Koirala’s jeep involved in fatal accident

Kathmandu, 13 Nov: NC Acting President Sushil Koirala’s jeep hit and killed a seven-year-old child in Sarlahi leading to immediate tension.
The tension was defused and movement of vehicles started after payment of Rs 300,000 compensation o the family of the deceased.
Koirala is on a tour on districts promoting an anti-Maoist campaign.
He was given protection amid heightened tension following the fatal accident.
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Rules and regulations for constitution drafting committee to be approved by CA Friday

Kathmandu, 13 Nov: Rules and regulations of a constitution drafting committee will be approved by the CA Friday by giving the document final shape, according to CA Chairman Subash Nemwang.
A schedule has been prepared to begin writing the constitution from 16November to complete the document within the two-year deadline, he said.
A committee preparing committee rules and regulations prepared a draft to the CA.
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TMLP also forms youth force

Kathmandu, 13 Nov: Terai madesh Loktanrik Party (TMLP) has also formed a security force after Maoists launched the YCL and CPN-UML a Youth Force.
“Disciplines volunteers will be recruited for management of our programmes. We don’t approve of YCL and Youth Force,” TMLP leader Hridesh Tripathi told Kantipur.
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Madhav Kumar Nepal threatens to quit Maoist-led government

Kathmandu, 13 Nov: Former CPN-UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal threatened Thursday to quit the Maoist-led government because Maoists haven’t improved their behaviour, Radio Nepal said.
Maoists haven’t improved behaviour as expected, Nepal said in Banke and added CPN-UML won’t continue in government if behaviour isn’t improved
Nepal said PM Prachanda, Defence Minister Badal and others top Maoist leaders were making baseless and unreliable statements.
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