Maoists to obstruct parliamentary proceedings

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 5 May: Maoists Tuesday decided to obstruct parliamentary proceedings indefinitely until the decision of President Dr Ram Baran Yadav asking Army Chief Gen Rukmangud Katawal to continue is rectified and the top army general is sacked.
The move means a new government to replace the outgoing government of Prime Minister Prachanda cannot be installed.
The president has asked Prachanda to continue in office until a new government is assembled—a difficult tack after major differences in major political players,
Maoists charged a constitutional coup was staged Monday and the president acted unconstitutionally.
Maoists also decided Tuesday to boycott an all-party meeting convened by CPN-UML to discuss formation of a new government.
Maoists also decided to protest the presidential decision on the streets as well.
The Maoists appointed Lt Gen Kul Bahadur Khadka to replace Katawal who controls army headquarters.
The president should have appointed the army chief.
The president was only informed of the government decision through letter.
Thirty so-called civil society leaders were arrested Tuesday in front on the presidential palace for defying prohibitory orders to hold anti-Yadav demonstrations.
Nepal is now embroiled in a constitutional and political crisis.
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