Congress leader rejects Maoist proposal to define, limit powers of president

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 20 Sept: Congress General Secretary Bimalendra Nidhi Saturday rejected Maoist Chairman Prachanda’s suggestion to define and limit the powers of the president through a constitution amendment to end a four-month political impasse.
“Both the censure motion and constitution amendment to curtail power of president aren’t acceptable. We told them any proposal to drag the president isn’t acceptable,” Nidhi told a gathering in Bhaktapur.
Immediately after the constituent assembly election of 10 April 2008, Maoist first proposed Girija Prasad Koirala’s candidature as the country’s first president; it was withdrawn when they feared Koirala would create a new power center.
Nepali Congress in 2004 launched a movement to successfully topple monarchy after King Gyanendra imposed a three-year direct rule.
Koirala said he would push for a ceremonial head of state with complete powers to the head of government.
Koirala and Congress had a re-think after Maoists swept the assembly elections.
Dr Ram Baran Yadav was instead elected president.
Koirala handed over power to a Prachanda-led government only four months after election result land by amending the constitution with a provision for majority rule ending also consensus politics which he first said would last for another 10 years.
Maoists charge they were toppled more than four months through a presidential and army coup.
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“The prime minister has empowered Sharma to distribute up to Rs 50,000;he has distributed up to Rs 75,000. The personal secretary has no such right to distribute money.”

(Report in Nagarik claiming Baluwatar has been distributing millions of rupees to supporters, 20 Sept.)
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