Nepal’s political crisis getting murkier

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 2 May: Nepal’s political crisis is getting murkier as the process of drafting a constitution has been delayed.
The basic law has to be promulgated in the next 12 months.
The document can’t be drafted without understanding between political parties who are drifting apart also threatening the peace process.
Amid Maoist charges attempts are on to impose presidential rule by outing the Maoist-led government, two ruling coalition partners-Unified CPN (Maoist), CPN-UML and main opposition Nepali Congress are holding discussions Saturday on the fate of Army Chief Gen Rukmangud Katawal.
Maoists said they will sack the chief to establish the supremacy of civilian authority over army.
Nepali Congress started Saturday an emergency meeting of central leaders.
CPN-UML and MJF have asked Maoists not to unilaterally against the army chief.
A controversy has surfaced on presidential power as well.
CPN-UML, MJF and Nepali Congress have urged action only through consensus isolating Maoists are making increasingly militant statements.
A dispute has also broken out on the limits on the powers of President Dr Ram Baran Yadav.
One section says the president is only a rubberstamp who has to implement the recommendation of an executive prime minister.
But Yadav has already asked Prime Minister Prachanda in several rounds of meetings to act cautiously only with understanding with other political parties.
The interim constitution, he argues, encourages consensus politics.
Meanwhile, three top generals, including the proposed successor of Gen Katawal, this week demonstrated a show of unity and solidarity saying they had no differences and dismissed rumours of a coup.
India has taken a leading role by supporting the beleaguered a Gen Katawal.
Maoists are threatening to sack the chief four months before his retirement.
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Tharu strike getting more violent

Kathmandu, 2 May: A strike by Tharus demanding de-listing from the Madeshi group that entered its 11th day Saturday is getting increasingly violent
Four vehicles, including an Indian-registered jeep, was torched in Chandranighapur, Rautahat, Saturday.
Vehicles were heading for the capital from the terai.
Nearly two dozen persons were injured there in clashes during curfew between demonstrators and police who lobbed teargas shells to control the crown.
Anther Indian-registered car was smashed overnight in Dang where offices of VDCs were destroyed.
World Food Programe (WFP) said Friday the strike has disrupted the delivery of 3,000 tons of food to 350,000 hungry persons facing acute food shortage, including Kosi river flood victims and Bhutanese refugees in east Nepal.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“In Britain and Cambodia, the institution of monarchy wa srestored after a brief period of turmoil and instability. Why not do a similar thing in our country?”

(Preeti Koirala, The Kathmandu Post, 2 May)
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