PM consults 11 political party leaders

Kathmandu, 12 May: Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal Wednesday held discussions with leaders of 11 amongst 25 political parties to extend the two-year tenure of the constituent assembly (CA) that ends 28 May.
He held separate talks with leaders of ruling party MJFL and TMLP while conducting a collective meeting with leaders of nine smaller parties.
Except the NMKP, 10 parties asked Nepal to amend the interim constitution to extend the tenure of the CA.
Maoists are attempting to create a front against the Nepal government.
Only 16 days remain to promulgate to institutionalize a constitution—a task impossible.
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Supreme court doesn’t issue interim order to fill in army vacancies

Kathmandu, 12 May: A two-man bench of the supreme court
ruled Wednesday there was no need to issue an interim order to stop recruitment of technical personnel in Nepal Army.
The vacancies were being were being filled through an advertisement in a newspaper.
The apex ruled there was no need to issue an interim order to stop recruitment on humanitarian ground.
The recruitment was challenged in a writ petition filed at the court.
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Prachanda defensive, apologetic

Kathmandu, 12 May: Chairman Prachanda said Wednesday his party will be flexible to integration and resettlement of Maoist combatants and dissolution of YCL if a national government is formed.
“We’re ready to snap relations with PLA within Jesth [14 June],” he said adding the party was even ready to dismantle YCL.
“We’re ready to put PLA in two camps and bring them under the special committee,” he told representatives of the capital.
Talking of camps, he was referring to former commanders to be integrated in security forces and those to be resettled within 14 June.
Prachanda said YCL could be dismantled on ‘four to five days’.
He was defensive and apologetic Wednesday to his vitriolic remarks against Valley residents while addressing a public meeting during the six-day anti-government movement.
He interacted with representatives of the capital’s society leaders at a meeting hall of a five-star hotel in which representatives of 22 organizations were present.
He said it was not his ‘intention’ to disrespect the residents of the capital.
The Maoist strongman abused ‘intellectuals’ civil society representatives and “well-dressed’ citizens of the Valley who, he claimed, insulted the poor from districts who assembled in the capital for an indefinite strike to pressurize the resignation of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal..
He accepted the call for an indefinite strike was a mistake.
“We’ve realized the indefinite strike call was a mistake and it shouldn’t be repeated,” Prachanda admitted after a party standing committee meeting.
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Prachanda conducts discussions with two Nepali Congress leaders

Kathmandu, 12 May: Chairman Prachanda held discussions with Nepali Congress leaders Krishna Prasad Shitaula and party General Secretary Bimalendra Nidhi Wednesday.
They discussed extension of the tenure of the constituent assembly, integration of Maoist combatants and government change, Congress leaders said.
Shitaula and Nidhi were authorized by the party triumvirate to conduct negotiations with Maoists who are demanding the formation of a national government.
Congress leaders proposed integration and resettlement of Maoist combatants within one month in a package agreement.
Maoists have refused to hold discussions with the government but are pursuing negotiations with parties to end a prolonged deadlock.
Maoists held discussions Tuesday with UML Chairman JhalanathKhanal and politburo member Bharat Mohan Adhikari.
Meanwhile, ruling UMP and Nepali Congress held a summit meeting Wednesday and discussed.
“Parties should move towards preventing a conflict,” Nepali Congress Spokesman Arjun Narsingh KC said after the meeting.
The summit of the two ruling parties asked Maoists to com to an agreement.
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Gen Rukmangud Katawal to address meet in Arlington

Kathmandu, 12 May: Retired Army Chief Gen Rukmangud Katawal will address a gathering at Arlington Central Library in Arlington, USA, 6 June, organizers said.
The meeting is being hosted by Nepal America Journalists’ Association.
A Nepal expert from State Department is participating.
Katawal and the Maoist-led government faced a standoff last year.
Although Katawal was sacked by the government, he was retained by President Dr Ram Baran Yadav.
Prachanda, instead quit government.
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Paras hits out at leaders, political parties; says monarchy could stage comeback with people’s support

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 12 May: In a frank interview and candid interview with a newspaper Wednesday, former Crown Prince Paras hit out at political parties and leaders and said monarchy could state a comeback if people desired.
‘The return or otherwise of monarchy isn’t possible with my personal or my family’s attempts only. It’s comeback is possible with the effort at the people’s level. The return of monarchy is possible with the feeling at the people’s level.
“People aren’t serfs. It’s the feeling present political parties and leaders people as serfs. I feel such tendencies should not be promoted.
“Anything can happen with the people’s desire. Cambodia is an example.
Monarchy was reinstated there with popular wave,” the only son of former.
King Gyanendra told Ghatana ra Bichar.
He hit out at leaders and political parties without mincing words.
“People are witness to leaders of political parties becoming Nuevo rich overnight. Presently, there’s a tussle, conflict and power hunger between political parties; they are irresponsible towards people and there’s greed
“Monarchy was alert to this; it was free of them,” he said.
He pondered and asked, “Have the people had a re-think and hoping monarchy should stage a comeback?”
Paras admitted sections of the Hindu community are attempting to enmity towards monarchy.
‘In the name of religion such elements are attempting to drag us and are reaping unjustified benefits. People should be alert to this.
‘This is the reality. I feel you can take the recent events in Birgunj as a glaring example,” the them crown prince said..
‘I don’t personally want to be king. Even if people restore monarchy, it should befit the 22nd century. I want to bicycle to Ason and Indrachowk and go on a shopping spree,” he said again talking about monarchy.
“What serious mistake did I make that monarchy should go?
He defended himself.
“People making bigger mistakes are openly walking the streets defiantly. What have Kathmandu’s dons done and who is protecting them?” he asked.
Paras said he’s aloof from politics.
“I’m aloof from politics. My purpose isn’t politics but a wish for peace and development of the country.”
The former crown prince said, “The people are aware my father gave up the throne in an easy and simple manner, This is an unique example in the world. There are past records of such sacrifices by monarchy,” praising his father.
He concurred with a question there were calls for the restoration of monarchy.
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India imposing presidential rule or restoring monarchy to contain Maoists: UCPN (Maoist) analysis

Kathmandu, 12 May: According to a Maoist source, another conclusion on the party is India is moving ahead either by imposing presidential rule or restoring monarchy, Janaastha reports.
The ensuing war is not with Madhav Kumar Nepal but with India.
Nepali Congress is adopting the Indian line riding the back of Madhav Nepal.
Terai will be a problem for the Maoists from across the border.
In the past, a plan was hatched to hit the palace from New Delhi. Monarchy was toppled with the help of parties with whom a confrontation has now developed.
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SPORTS

International matches at TU cricket ground banned; other details

Kathmandu, 12 May: The International Cricket Council (ICC) said there’s no evidence to support a Singapore claim challenging the outcome of the 26 February World Cricket Division 5 league match at the TU cricket ground.
Singapore challenged the entry of Nepal and USA to Division 4.
The three teams collected eight points each in the league match but Nepal qualified for group 4 with a better run rate along with USA.
Crowd trouble broke out between the USA Nepal match when crown hurled missiles as USA scored 150/5 chasing a target of 162 runs.
When the match resumed 48 minutes later, USA was set a target of 157 runs in 46 overs.
USA won the match.
ICC has banned international cricket at the TU cricket ground until improvements to prevent further crowd disturbance during matches.
The ban was announced Tuesday.
A three-member investigation committee of David Richardson, David Becker and Ravi Sawami asked the ICC to warn host Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) that violence during matches wasn’t in the best interest of cricket.
The committee asked ICC to recommend fixing a boundary wall around the ground to avoid further crowd trouble.
International matches have been banned until the improvement is completed.
“It is most unfortunate outcome for Singapore and there was a suggestion that they should be promoted alongside the USA and Nepal.
“While everyone agrees that this was a regrettable incident and one which we do not ant to see repeated, there is no justifiable basis to promote Singapore as such temptation would create a dangerous precedent to the integrity of competition and the playing regulations,” a statement said.
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