President, Prachanda meet

Kathmandu, 27 Nov: In the midst of anti-government and anti-president protests, Chairman Prachanda a meeting with President Dr Ram Baran Yadav at the official residence of the head of state Thursday.
Maoist Vice-chairman Narayan Kazi Shrestha Prakash was present.
Prachanda asked the president to help break a prolonged political impasse.
The Maoist chairman said the meeting was free and frank.
“The long political impasse should end and for that major political parties should hold a dialogue and reach an agreement.
“I will extend full support to the agreement of major parties. My personal and institutional support will always be there for any role,” the president’s press advisor Rajendra Dahal quoted the president as telling the chairman.
Prachanda held consultations with the president after allowing the budget to be approved Thursday without obstructing parliamentary proceedings for here days.
The passage of the annual budget 2009/10 was delayed for five months.
But the third phase of their public protests continues.
Maoists have called a nation-wide two-day strike 9 December.
They also decided to declare 13 autonomous republics as critics say it is against the spirit of the comprehensive peace agreement.
Major parties haven’t agreed on a new federal structure to be incorporated in a new constitution.
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CPN-UML politburo meet continues

Kathmandu, 27 Nov: Ruling party CPN-UML politburo Friday continued discussions on Chairman Jhalanath Khanal’s political report for the second consecutive day.
Khanal criticized the government led by his own party in the report charging it for not implementing its own declared policy for national consensus to draft a constitution and complete the peace process.
Khanal even suggested a change or a reshuffle in government.
The report has come under strong criticism from an anti-Maoist faction in the party.
Khanal argues a government change/reshuffle by including Maoists is needed to draft a constitution and complete the pace process.
Bamdev Gautam, a firm supporter of Maoists in the party, charged Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal
“Madhav Kumar Nepal became prime minister on the proposal of the Nepali Congress to push its interests by encouraging conflict between communists,” Gautam charged at a meeting Thursday.
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Gachedhar says controversial minister has asked for apology

Kathmandu, 27 Nov: Deputy Prime Minister Bijaya Kumar Gachedhar
And Chairman of LMJF of State Minister Karika Beagum is member the controversial minister has already apologized through a statement for slapping Parsa CDO Durga Bhandari and asked protests against her be called off.
Gachedhar said this as he was greeted with black flags Thursday at Gadimai temple in Bara where he offered worship
But officials are continuing protests against her demanding action for slapping Bhandari in his office.
Government has been charged for protecting the minister.
Manhandling a government official is a serious crime.
An arrest warrant against her issued by thee Parsa district police hasn’t been executed.
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Dr Baburam Bhattarai going to South Korea

Kathmandu, 27 Nov: Maoist Vice-chairman Dr Baburam Bhattarai is flying to South Korea Friday.
He’s going there to run a training tamp for party supporters, the party said.
Bhattarai returns home Monday.
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Two Nepalis sentenced to death in Malaysia

Kathmandu, 27 Nov: Malaysian high court Thursday sentenced to death two Nepalis, Bernama news agency said.
Hari Bahadur Ghale, 29 and Sajan Suring were sentenced for drugs trafficking.
They were arrested six years ago with 85.w2 grammes of heroin.
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Give and take to pass budget

Kathmandu, 27 Nov: It’s been learnt the budget was approved only after the finance minister agreed to sanction Rs 100 million for the special development programme, Kantipur reports.
The money is to be diverted to parliamentary constituencies with parliamentary approval.
Representatives of the ruling LMJF got the concession from Minister Surendra Pandey one day before the passage of the budget.
Pandey continued the programme started by his predecessor Dr Baburam Bhattarai.
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Nepal out of cricket

Kathmandu, 27 Nov: Nepal is out of the ACC Twenty20 cricket tournament even after a six wicket over Qatar on Sarjha Thursday.
Nepal bowled out Qatar for 96 runs in 19 overs; Nepal scored the required 97 runs in 18 overs.
Nepal earlier lost two matches and won another.
Nepal plays its last Group B match against Bahrain Friday.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“Maoists out of power are like fish out of water.”

(PM Madhav, Kumar Nepal, Annapurna Post, 27 Nov.)

“Constitution is more important than the timeframe. The statute can be drafted soon if the political parties come to terms of agreement.”

(Sher Bahadur Deuba, The Himalayan Times, 27 Nov.)

“There are only six more months left to declare the constitution and the ruling parties want to just pass time passively so that they can declare a state of emergency and start presidential rule.”

(Maoist leader Narayan Jazi Shrestha Prakash, The Kathmandu Post, 27 Nov.)
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