Chairman, premier begin parleys to avoid crisis

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 12 May: Chairman of parliament and constituent assembly (CA) Subash Nemwang launched meetings with leaders of the biggest parties Wednesday by holding discussions with Chairman of UCPN (Maoist) Prachanda at the latter’s the latter’s residence.
“I began talks with the largest party and this is the beginning of my talks with leaders of the main patties,” Nemwang said.
‘He assured me of an outcome in two days after which another meeting will be held,” he added. “The county is passing through a difficult and critical turn.”
The chairman said Maoists would talk with parties although it wasn’t talking with government.
The chairman said talks couldn’t be held during the six-day indefinite Maoist strike that was withdrawn in six days following national and international pressure.
Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal is continuing consultations with smaller parties in parliament Thursday after informing President Dr Ram Baran Yadav Wednesday night a constitution won’t be promulgated by the 28 May deadline.
Government is preparing to extend the two-year tenure of the CA by six months when it ends 28 May.
The decision may be challenged in court.
Some constitutional lawyers say there’s no constitutional provision fo the extension of the two-year tenure.
Nepal is heading towards a political crisis.
Maoists Tuesday decided not to respond to the invitation of the premier to sit down at the negotiating table to end the prolonged deadlock.
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Bamdeb Gautam on dock

Kathmandu, 12 May: Ruling UML Vice-chairman Bamdev Gautam has been asked by the party standing committee to correct his mistake for breaching party discipline by demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal on 12 April through e-main to Chairman Jhalanath Khanal.
Sixty UML leaders demanded the resignation.
The party has asked him to publicly apologize and not to repeat the mistake asking him to confess.
Bamdev in a supporter of Maoists in the party while KP Sharma, another voluble leader is a firm critic of the main opposition.
Gautam Tuesday in an explanation to the disciplinary commission denied the charges.
It’s come to light Vice-chairman has started a campaign to seek support of 40 percent of UML lawmakers, Rajdhani reports.
He’s intensified meetings with lawmakers and central leaders. A senior UML source said the campaign aims to from a new government under Maoists.
A new party could be easily formed and an honourable unity with Maoists could be forged.
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Conquest of Dhaulagiri being celebrated

Kathmandu, 12 May: The golden jubilee year of the conquest of the 8167 meters high Mount Dhaulagiri began Wednesday in the capital, Pokhara and Beni from Thursday.
Kurt Diemberger of Austria, the only surviving conqueror of the west Nepal peak, arrived Tuesday to participate in the celebrations.
Others of a Swiss, Austrian team who climbed the peak 50 years ago on 13 May 1960 were: Peter Diener, Ernst Forrer, Albin Schelbert and Nepal’s Nyima Dorje and Nawang Dorji.
The falloff 8000 meter high peaks began with the conquest of the 8091 meters high Mount Annapurna, the world’s 10th tallest peak.
The 8848 meters high Mount Everest, the world’s tallest peak, was conquered by Tenzing Norgay and New Zealand’s Edmund Hillary with a British expedition led by Britain’s John Hunt.
The climb was dedicated to the crowning of Queen Elizabeth.
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Rato Machindranath chariot festival 18 May

Kathmandu, 12 May: The towing of Rato Machindranath chariot
Will begin 18 May in Patan.
The procession will start after the Machindranath idol in placed in the chariot’s sanctum.
The chariot will be pulled through Patan and to the final destination at Jawalakhel for the display of the bhoto or the vest
The original vest has been smuggle out of the country and is on display at a museum in Los Angeles.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“Is the government preparing for civil war? We wan an answer. Should be rampage the presidential palace like in Kyrgystan?”

(Maoist leader Barshaman Pun Ananta, The Rising Nepal, 12 May)
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