Be prepared for revolution: PM Prachanda

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 15 Feb: Prime Minister and Chairman of Unified CPN (Maoist) Saturday asked party supporters to be ready for another revolution to protest what he called ‘gains’ while addressing a trade union affiliated with the party in Lalitpur.
He made the call as top party leaders threatened street protests to impose a people’s republic if the six-month Maoist-led government was toppled.
The government is now in a minority in the 601-member parliament.
“After a long analysis, we entered the peace process, constituent assembly and constitution drafting process.
“This was not forever; another situation can also arise and this situation will not last for ever and we’ll have to be prepared for another situation
“We are now in critical phase of the revolution. Form and substance sometimes look different under such circumstances but they are the same.
“There will be another disaster if an alternative is sought for the government.
“We must be prepared for widespread gains through revolution,” Prachanda said.” We have surprised imperialists and are moving ahead.”
Prachanda threatened another revolution hours after a secretariat meeting concluded ‘national and foreign conspirators’ are conspiring to bring down the government.
As expected, the secretariat expelled
Politburo member Matrika Prasad Yadav who defected and launched CPN (Maoist)
nnnn

CPN-UML general convention begins Monday

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 15 Feb: A general convention of CPN-UML, the country’s third largest political party, that begins in Butwal Monday is set to elect a new leadership.
Unified CPN (Maoist) replaced the CPN-UML as Nepal’s biggest communist party in the 10 April constituent assembly election.
Lately, Maoists have been charging CPN-UML as a ‘opportunistic and reactionary’ group.
Attempts are being made by a group led by politburo member Bharat Mohan Adhikari to elect a collective leadership through consensus.
Former General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal, his successor Jhalanath Khanal and KP Sharma Oli are contesting the all-power party chairmanship.
The powers are being transferred to the chairman from the general-secretary.
The convention by 1,800 plus delegates will also approve a new party statute.
The meeting will also discuss the party’s cooling relations with Maoists who are now leading the government.
Top CPN-UML leadership have lately been demanding the party should lead the government if a constitution is to be drafted within the May 2010 deadline.
Main Opposition Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala, who is attending the convention even as he is sick, has publicly supported Madhav Kumar Nepal to replace Prime Minister Prachanda.
Nnnn


British legislators arriving

Kathmandu, 15 Feb: A British Inter-Parliamentary Union Group arrived Monday in parliament’s invitation.
The visit aims to reinforce relations between parliament’s of the two countries and help Nepal’s peace process.
Nnnn


Five attackers of police post encircled

Kathmandu, 15 Feb: Five Maoist defectors who attacked a Pyuthan police post and decamped with seven seized weapons have been encircled by a special task force of police personnel on neighbouring Rolpa Saturday, police said.
Air and ground operations are continuing to seize them with weapons.
Two others have already been nabbed.
Nnnn

Female rhino dead

Kathmandu, 15 Feb: Vets failed in the Chitwan national park to save a suffering female rhino whose precious horn was sawed off by poachers.
The rhino died Friday night after a two-week struggle.
A bullet was also lodged in her neck.
Nnnn





MEDIA GOOGLE

“Having a green card [there are reports ambassador- designate Dr Sukhdev Sah to USA has a green card] is like having the citizenship card. A green card holder could not be appointed to a post higher that the post of consul general.”

(Congress leader Chakra Prasad Bastola, The HImalayan Times, 15 Feb.)

“The UNMIN made uncalled for remarks over the recruitment process, which blew the recruitment issue out of proportion.”

(Sher Bahadur Deuba, The Kathmandu Post, 15 Feb)

“They [bombers of UN office] are a criminal group; talks won’t be held with them.”

(Peace Minister Janardhan Sharma Prabhakar, Naya Patrika, 15 Feb.)
Nnnn