Maoists start boycott of PM’s functions

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 31 Aug: Government and Maoists are on a direct collision course that will adversely impact the delayed peace process, constitution drafting and integration/ resettlement of 19,000 plus Maoists combatants in army and society.
In their intensified anti-government campaign in parliament and street to restore what’s been called civilian supremacy, Maoists Monday began boycott of programmes of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal.
They will start boycotting programmes of ministers from Saturday.
The president is already being boycotted by the main opposition.
The Joint National People’s Movement chaired by Baburam Bhatarai Sunday decided to intensify three-month protest after Maoists were ousted from government by a 22-party coalition.
Eighteen department chiefs and 10 state committee members and chiefs were appointed by the central secretariat meeting.
During nine days beginning protests will be held in 18 places; Chairman Prachanda will address a meeting in Biratnagar Sunday while Baburam Bhattarai and Narayan Kazi Shrestha Prakash will lead protests in Gaighat and Janakpur.
Local committees will be formed to for development and administering justice –a move described as an attempt to form a parallel administration after ouster from Singha Durbar.
Amik Serchan, Tilak Pariyar and Ram Kumari Yadav have been appointed vice-presidents for the movement coordinators of to over see the movement.
“Coordinators have been appointed to implement demand for 10 autonomous regions,” Bhattarai said.
Intensified programmes were announced immediately after Prakash was defeated by Nilambar Acharya in election for th chairman of a constitution drafting committee.
Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal denied Maoist charge Maoists were being isolated.
Standing committee meeting Monday discussed the heightened protests to endorse it.
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Jha action unfortunate: Jhalanath Khanal

Kathmandu, 31 Aug: CPN-UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal said Monday the decision of Vice-president Parmananda Jha not to take an oath in Nepali as directed by the supreme court was ‘unfortunate for the country’.
Khanal made the comment in Biratnagar.
Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala Monday discussed Jha with parties from terai who lent support to the vice-president.
Jha’s action has created a language issue.
He hasn’t resigned and said he could take an oath in a mother tongue through a 7th amendment in the interim constitution.
Lawyers are divided on whether Jha continues to be vice-president after refusal to obey government and court directives.
President, prime minister and heads of constitutional bodies Sunday waited for nearly 40 minutes at Shital Niwas for Jha to take his oath.
The supreme court said the vice-president can no longer hold office after a refusal to take an oath.
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