Political stalemate continues; other details

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 19 May: Maoists disrupted parliamentary session for the eight consecutive time Tuesday delaying the installation of a majority government to be led by former CPN-UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal—the second government to be formed after the April 2008 historic constituent assembly elections.
Speaker Subash Nemwang adjourned the session until Wednesday after Maoists again gheraoed the rostrum.
Non-Maoist political parties in inter and intra-party discussions rejected a Maoist demand to discuss what has been called unconstitutional decision of President Dr Ram Baran Yadav asking Army Chief Gen Rukmangud Katawal to continue in office.
He was sacked by the Maoists after other coalition partners walked out of government more than two weeks ago creating a political stalemate.
There’s no outlet in sight as yet.
Nepali Congress and CPN-UML in separate meetings with Maoists Tuesday asked the party to stop the disruptions for government formation.
Maoists proposed they will introduce a resolution in parliament to discuss the presidential action.
Congress and other parties said PM Prachanda can make a statement but will oppose a resolution since supreme court is considering the action challenged in the supreme court.
Speaker Nemwang also asked Maoists not to obstruct the parliament session.
“The government is only a caretaker administration. This situation can’t stand for long,” Nemwang said.
But Maoists in the caretaker government have been making major decisions.
CPN-UML and Congress leaders, including Nepal and Girija Prasad Koirala discussed a legal outlet in the presence of lawyers Tuesday.
Kingmaker MJF central committee meeting was adjourned until Thursday after inconclusive discussions on whether to join a government or not.
The party is on the verge of a split with the parliamentary party deciding to support Nepal government and Chairman Upendra Yadav close to Maoists.
US and EU ambassadors held collective discussions with the prime minister Tuesday asking Prachanda to help form a new government to end a political vacumn.
Meanwhile, CPN-UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal said right parties are taking advantage by dividing communists and asked Maoists to join a national government.
Khanal asked Maoists to foil such an attempt and help in drafting a constitution—impossible without Maoist support..
Khanal said constitution can’t be drafted by sidelining Maoists.
Nnnn

PM moves out of Baluwatar

Kathmandu, 19 May: Acting Prime Minister Prachanda moved out of the official residence of the government chief Tuesday and moved to private quarters.
Prachanda resigned more than two weeks ago,
nnnn

Load-shedding reduced to eight hours every day

Kathmandu, 19 May: Authorities announced crippling load-shedding will be brought to eight hours from 12 hours every day from Wednesday giving some relief to the people.
A 16-hour daily power was enforced during the winter.
Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) said Tuesday water-level of rivers has risen with the onset of pre-monsoon shower, snowmelt with increasing temperature, repairs of damaged power stations and import of power from India.
Nnnn


Bhutan to host SAARC summit in 2010

Kathmandu, 19 May: Bhutan will for the first time host a summit of a summit of the eight-nation South Asian regional SAARC in April 2010, Bhutanese officials said.
Bhutan had three opportunities to host summits after the establishment of the organization formed to promote regional cooperation.
Annual summits are hosted by members on rotation.
Bhutan mainly cited lack of physical facilities to host the summit.
Nnnn

Four districts plunged in darkness

Kathmandu, 19 May: Gorkha, Lamjung, and two districts frequented by tourists—Kaski and Chitwan-- have been plunged into darkness after heady damage overnight of a transformer in Damauli.
Damage is estimated at Rs 700,000 and will take seven days to repair, officials said.
nnnn