Maoists hold discussions with as they call to pull down government

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 29 March: Maoist Chairman Prachanda held discussions with UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal for the fist time in one year as the main opposition prepares to pull down the 10-month-old government of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal.
Prachanda held separate discussions with MJFN Chairman Upendra Yadav who has already called for the ouster of the Nepal government.
Khanal said after the meeting, UML was ready to form a ‘national government’ with Maoists if its preconditions like the dissolution of YCL and seized assets are met.
Discussions where held after Friday’s meeting of the HLPM which decided to pursue political discussions to break a prolonged political deadlock following the death of Girija Prasad Koirala.
Prime Minister Nepal continued discussions for the third day with leaders of political parties to same his government.
Nepal also held discussions with Congress youth leaders.
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Maoists close down industries

Kathmandu, 29 March: Maoists Monday closed down industries nationwide Monday protesting the murder of their trade union leader Ram Ayodhi in Siraha last week.
Maoists enforced a sudden three-hour ban of the movement of vehicles along highways.
Maoists went ahead with the forced despite appeals from FNCCI to avoid closures.
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Krishna Prasad Bhattarai calls for revival of constitutional monarchy

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 29 March: Former Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai and the only surviving founder member of Nepali Congress Krishna Sunday demanded the revival of the 1990 constitution to prevent a looming crisis on the eight day of the death of Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala.
“The nation is on the verge of becoming a state without a constitution. There’s no possibility of a constitution being promulgated by 28 May. The 1990 constitution was very good.
“But enough time wasn’t given to enforce it and it was hastily ended and as a result a constitutional and political vacuum has surfaced,” Bhattarai who quit the Nepali Congress after the party adopted a republican agenda said in a statement.
“If the present situation continues for a few more days, the country will have to face an adverse situation for its independence, constitutionality, social harmony and prosperity.
Bhattarai said secularism, republic and federalism are ‘concepts hastily imported’ and against Nepal’s unique character and necessary needs’
‘This shows the concepts are against Nepal’s genuine identity and need,” he added.
Koirala, galvanized political parties and with international support to topple the 238-year Shah dynasty of which King Gyanendra was the last king.
In a guarded statement earlier, Bhattarai said all Koirala’s shortcomings had gone up in flames with his cremation at Aryaghat.
The four-year transition from monarchy to a republic has hit rough weather.
A republic declared by an unelected and self-appointed parliament has to be formalized with the promulgation of a constitution by the 28 May deadline which may not be met.
Bhattarai’s demand comes at a time when former King Gyanendra himself said monarchy hasn’t died in Nepal.
Bhattarai said the policy of national reconciliation propounded by BP Koirala and Ganesh Man Singh was opportune.
Baburm Bhattarai reacted saying what is dead can’t be revived.
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Prachanda, Baburam Bhattarai attend Swami Ramdeb yoga camp

Kathmandu, 29 March: Swami Ramdeb’s yoga science camp at Tundikhel in the capital continues to attract thousands of people from all over Nepal.
Amid tight security, Chairman Prachanda and his deputy Baburam Bhattarai attended the six-day Monday to popularize yoga and related medicine.
President Dr Ram Baran Yadav inaugurated the camp Saturday.
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Special committee calls for package to rehabilitate and retire PLA combatants

Kathmandu, 29 March: The special committee for supervision, integration and rehabilitation of 19,000 plus combatants Sunday asked a technical committee under it to prepare a package for the rehabilitation and willing retirement of fighters within three days of Wednesday.
Maoists attended the meeting after earlier accusing Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal who heads the special committee of discussing integration outside the committee.
The special committee also asked the committee to prepare standards for integration of Maoist combatants.
Maoist rejected government proposal to immediately integrate 3,000 combatants in state security agencies.
The combatants are unlikely to be integrated and rehabilitated by 15 April before the promulgation of a constitution.
Government is prepared to rehabilitate those who leave cantonments and camps voluntarily amid official suspicions many have already desterted.d
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PM summoned by public accounts committee

Kathmandu, 29 March: Parliament’s public accounts committee decided Sunday to summon Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal after cabinet decided to award a contract for printing machine readable passports (MRP) to an Indian government security press without asking for an international tender.
Foreign ministry has already awarded the contract to the Indian firm.
Nepal has been summoned after the cabinet endorsed Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala’s unilateral decision to India despite the committee recommendation the government call an international tender.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“The 10-month old government led by UML has completed 10 months; that’s a bid achievement; now the government cal fall anytime.”

(Culture Minister Dr Minendra Rijal, Gorkhapatra, 29 March)

“Leaders will find a way out; these parties will find an alternative [to find a solution to a problem is constitution isn’t proclaimed 28 May. Wait for a few days and you’ll know in a few days.”

(Surya Bahadur Thapa, Jana Bhawana, 29 March)

“I also would have had a palace had I adopted a high profile. I would be like those living in palatial buildings. But I’m satisfied with the present condition.”
Suresh Koirala, son of Girija, Nepal newsmagazine, 29 March)


“I would like to give credit to Girija Babu for bringing the Maoists into the peace process. But again it might be questioned whether Girija Babu brought the Maoists to the mainstream or the Maoists and external forces used Girija Banu to get their way. There is a difference,”

(RPP-Nepal Chairman Kamal Thapa, The Kathmandu Post, 29 March)
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