Political stalemate continues; other details

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 8 May: Nearly a week-long political stalemate after Prime Minister Prachanda resigned amid Maoist failure to oust Army Chief Gen Rukmangud Katawal continued Friday.
President Dr Ram Baran Yadav intervened and asked the army chief to continue amid Maoist charge of a presidential and army coup demanding rectification of the presidential order and sack of Gen Katawal.
The president has asked parties to assemble a consensus government- a virtual impossible task as Maoists decided to disrupt parliamentary procedures until demands are met; they have also come out of the streets against the president and army.
Kingmaker MJF’s political committee is meeting to decide its strategy and date for a central committee meeting.
Should the party with 53 seats in parliament decide to lend support to Maoists-- Prachanda could form a government with the support of 10 more lawmakers.
But deputy leader Jayaprakash Gupta said the party has given up its previous demand to lead a future government.
Inter and intra-party discussions to form a government continued Friday.
Congress has asked CPN-UML to lead a government.
Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala conveyed this to Prachanda at a meeting Thursday.
Meanwhile, US Ambassador Nancy J. Powell discussed with Koirala Friday the likelihood of a delay in drafting a constitution following political developments.
But Koirala told Powell cooperation with Maoists to draft a constitution was possible only if Maoists change their attitude and posture.
In a sensational videotape, Prachanda 18 months boasted before party workers the party succeeded in fooling UNMIN by increasing the actual strength of its from 7,000 to nearly 20,000.
The UN is watching them in 28 camps and cantonments for resettlement and integration in Nepal Army.
Prachanda also said PLA combatants have mingled in society through YCL and revealed the purpose of integration of combatants in the army is to provoke a rebellion.
The embarrassing disclosure comes after a bloody rebellion in Bangladesh army last month milling scores of people.
The disclosure has only helped to prove the charge of critics Maoists are keen to penetrate the army to destabilize it.
Maoists have dismissed the tape as old but it still reveals their strategy.
UNMIN Chief Karen Landgrin and Prachanda held discussed contents of the tape whose authenticity Maoists haven’t denied.
Meanwhile, Norway is the only country that has supported Prachanda.
“Maoists deserve credit for acting democratically in the current crisis,” Environment Minister Erik Solheim told The Kathmandu Post.
The minister revealed he kept contact with Maoists when they were an international pyorrhea before joining the mainstream.
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Viral pneumonia kills 13 in Gorkha

Kathmandu, 8 May: Viral pneumonia has killed 13 persons in villages in Gorkha and 35 others are seriously sick.
The disease has spread to many villages in the districts, health officials said.
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Arna population increases in Kosi Tapu

Kathmandu, 8 May: A census reveals the population of arna [wild buffalo] has increased in Kosi Tappu wildlife reserve, Kantipur reports.
The fresh census this month reveals the population increased to 190 from 159 three years ago.
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Min Bahadur Rayamajhi confirmed chief justice

Kathmandu, 8 May: Min Bahadur Rayamajhi has been confirmed chief justice by a parliamentary hearing committee Thursday.
The decision was unanimous.
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Another murder in Bara

Kathmandu, 8 May: Ramraj Prasad Shah was axed to death Friday in Bara.
Violence continues in the south.
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