Maoist change stance on 7th amendment to constitution

Kathmandu, 4 Jan.: One day after Maoists decided not to support a 7th amendment to the interim constitution, the main opposition Monday decided to lend its support after talks Monday with ruling Madesh parties conditionally.
Maoists demanded surety in activating the vice-presidency after the amendment.
Maoists Sunday had decided to oppose the amendment with the Upendra Yadav faction of MJF.
The constitution can’t be amended without Maoist support as two-third majority in required in the 601-member parliament.
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Indian army chief visiting Nepal 19 to 22 Jan.

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 4 Jan.: Indian Army Chief Gen Deepak Kapoor is visiting Nepal from 19 to 22 January reflecting the restored ties between the armies of Nepal and India snapped during the royal regime, defence sources said.
The president is conferring him the rank of honourary general of Nepal Army.
It wasn’t known why the visit was rescheduled but Maoists have threatened an indefinite anti-government and anti-president strike from 24 January is their demands aren’t met.
He was scheduled to visit Nepal only in February.
Army Chief Gen Chatraman Singh Gurung was also conferred the rank of honourary general of Indian army during his just concluded India visit.
India has also agreed to resume supplies of suspended during the royal regime—another reflection of restored ties between the armies of the two South Asian states.
India has conferred the rank of honourary general in Indian army to Nepali army chiefs only when bilateral ties are good.
India didn’t confer the honour to former army chiefs Gen Sachit Shumsher Rana and recently retired Gen Rukmangud Katawal.
Nepal imported amid protests from India Chinese military hardware, including anti-aircraft guns during his tenure and Katawal was chief during the royal regime.
India crafted the end of monarchy in collusion with political parties.
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Former king, queen undergo medical check-up in Delhi

Kathmandu, 4 Jan.: Former King Gyanendra returns home 10 January, Jana Bhawana reports.
He is currently in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
They had a medical check-up earlier in New Delhi.
Doctors detected cholesterol problem in the former king.
Likewise, the hearing aid of the former queen has been replaced.
The couple had gone to India one month ago.
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Kamal Thapa charges Congress, UML conspiring to extend mandate of CA by one year

Kathmandu, 4 Jan.: RPP-Nepal Chairman Kamal Thapa said in his home district Makwanpur Sunday the constitution won’t be drafted by the 28 May 2010 deadline, Annapurna Post reports.
The conspiracy is being hatched because if Maoists conduct elections after the constitution is promulgated they will capture state power thorough elections.
“Any group could be active saying they won’t accept a constitution drafted beyond the deadline. Nepalis won’t be compelled to accept a constitution promulgated after the deadline,” he said.
Congress and UML are illegally conspiring to extend the tenure of the constituent assembly (CA) by one year to create a difficult situation in th country.
Thapa said there’s no constitutional provision to extend the mandate of the assembly or dissolve it, Kantipur reports.
He said there could be a clash between two gun-welding centers in the country in a political void.
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Recommendations for promotion in Nepal Army

Kathmandu, 4 Jan.: Army Sunday recommended promotions of generals in Nepal Army (NA) to defence ministry, Annapurna Post reports.
The promotion of Maj. Gen Pawan Jung Thapa to Lt. Gen has been proposed. He is currently serving in Sudan.
Army has also recommended the promotions of Brig. Gens. Nara Bahadur Kandel, Narendra Rawat and Kumar Budathoki.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“Congress leaders haven’t talked of abrogation of unequal treaties and ending feudalism. That’s why this party is rightist and status quoist.”

(UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal, Janadisha, 4 Jan.)

“It’s very dangerous to make a time-bomb. Prachanda then took keen interest in assembling it and learnt the technique.”

((Kamal Deb Shah who taught Prachanda to assemble a bomb during the people’s war, Rajdhani, 4 Jan.)

“If one goes through Maoist speeches and documents, it becomes clear that they have adopted a policy to capture the state power. If they move to that direction, will the state sit mute? No. The government has responsibility of protecting state and the citizens.”

(PM Nepal, The Rising Nepal, 4 Jan.)

‘Since the decision has already been implemented how could he apex court issue the stay order. The apex court has not quashed the cabinet decision, therefore, the order is meaningless since Gen. Singh has already received his insignia of the promoted post.”

(High-ranking army officer in The Himalayan Times, 4 Jan.)

‘At a time when the political parties are not unanimous on the modalities of the federal structure, the idea of a referendum [ floated by Sujata Koirala] is not a bad idea.”

(Editorial in state-owned The Rising Nepal, 4 Jan.)

“Changing the name of RPP is like giving more love to the younger rather than the elder son.”

(RPP Chairman Pashupati SJB Rana on RJP demand to change RPP name as precondition for merger, Jana Bhawana, 4 Jan.)
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