Maoists to unilaterally declare constitution; other details

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 17 May: Maoists decided Sunday to unilaterally announce a federal people’s constitution 29 May—one day the two-year tenure of the constituent assembly (CA) ends to promulgate a constitution.
The constitution had to be promulgated to institutionalize a republic that’s already been announced by an unelected and self-appointed parliament.
The party politburo meeting announced the decision.
Nepal celebrates republic day 29 May.
Party Vice-chairman Dr Baburam Bhattarai has already prepared a constitution draft.
The party put the onus for failure to promulgate the constitution on other parties, saying it had presented its constitution draft to the assembly arguing NC and UML hadn’t presented their drafts to the CA..
The main opposition simultaneously set two pre-conditions for the CA’s tenure extension.
The party reiterated its demand for the resignation of the Madhav Kumar Nepal government to make way for a national government and a public apology for failure to promulgate a basic law by adopting a majority system of vote in parliament abandoning consensus politics.
‘It’s our party’s decision the life of this government shouldn’t be extended by extending the tenure of the constituent assembly. This government formed unnaturally not to promulgate a constitution by amending the constitution adopting majority system should be dissolved.
‘Only then can the CA be saved,” Spokesman Dinanath Sharma said.
The party withdrew an earlier decision to conduct nation-wide anti-government public meetings 25 May and run training camps 18 May.
Only 11 days remain to promulgate a constitution.
A joint meeting of Nepali Congress parliamentary party and central committee Sunday concluded the party should lead the government to end present prolonged deadlock.
The party central committee meets Monday to discuss the proposal of the parliamentary party and central committee.
A public interest litigation was filed Sunday at the supreme court opposing government and party moves to extend the CA tenure.
A hearing has been scheduled for Monday.
The country is heading towards confrontation and crisis.
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Party asks Bamdev Gautam to self-confess

Kathmandu, 17 May: UML Vice-Chairman Bamdeb Gautam was ordered Sunday by the party disciplinary commission to self-confess within one week for indiscipline.
The commission concluded his breach of party discipline was and ‘serious’ and his explanation was inadequate.
The commission headed by another party Vice-chairman Amrit Bohara concluded his explanation was ‘unsatisfactory’.
Gautam denied breaching party discipline by demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal through e-mail to make way for a national government headed by Maoists.
Bamdev heads a party faction demanding a national government with Maoists; another strong faction headed by KP Sharma Oli opposes a government with Maoists.
A section feels Gautam could split the party for the second time.
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Two dead, seven injured in jeep accident

Kathmandu, 17 May: Two persons were injured and seven were injured when a jeep fell into a river near Damauli in Tanahu Sunday.
The jeep was going to Tatipokhari in Gorkha.
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Manmohan Bhattarai replaces Girija

Kathmandu, 17 May: Manmohan Bhattarai replaced
Girija Prasad Koirala in the constituent assembly (CA)/ parliament Sunday.
Bhattarai, of the Sher Bahadur Deuba faction in the NC, took his seat in the parliament Sunday.
He was nominated by the party central committee to the vacant post.
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Naxalites kill 8 in retaliatory attack

Kathmandu, 17May: Maoist [Naxal] rebels killed eight villagers in an apparent revenge attack on suspected informers in a central Indian state, police said today [Sunday], according to AFP report from Raipur
More than 50 leftist guerillas surrounded two villages in Chhattisgarh state late Saturday night and killed the villagers after abducting them, state police spokesman R.K. Vij told AFP.
Vij said the Maoists suspected the people living in Paratappur and Teregaon villages were helping the state authorities to arrest rebels and had informed the police about their movements.
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A new industrial policy announced

Kathmandu, 17May: Government announced a ‘Industrial Policy 2067 Sunday.
Industry Minister Mahendra Prasad Yadav made public the policy.
“No Work No Pay” policy will be encouraged in the new policy.
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