PM Nepal admits mistake in communist-self confession; other details

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 22 May: Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal Saturday implicitly accepted his mistake Saturday before his party UML leaders in a self-confession one day after saying a constitution to institutionalize a republic could be promulgated without a constituent assembly (CA).
He made the remarks Friday amid rising tension as demands swell for Nepal’s resignation to end a political deadlock.
The prime minister is clearly is losing his cool.
Fourteen small parties Saturday also objected to the statement as they asked NC, Maoists and UML to end the prolonged deadlock before 28 May Friday or another six days.
Nepal, who said a republican constitution could have been promulgated by other means, was a member of a commission that drafted a 1990 constitution promoting constitutional monarchy and multi-party democracy.
‘It’s not possible,” Nepal told representatives of the government media Saturday to Chairman Prachanda’s statement the CA will be inactive after 28 May until an understanding to extend the assembly’s tenure.
Reinforcing the Maoist position, Secretary and party Spokesman CP Gajurel said Saturday the preamble clearly mentions the CA will continue until a constitution is promulgated.
Like Prachanda, he argued the CA will be temporarily inactive after 28May if the assembly tenure isn’t extended.
The prime minister asked the Maoist chairman through the official to sit down for talks to avoid an impending constitutional and political crisis.
“We can’t even comprehend the result,” he said if a constitution isn’t promulgated Friday; it’s certain a basis law won’t be announced then.
He asked Maoists to ‘save and protect the CA’ adding, ‘You [Maoists] can’t shy away from responsibilities.”.
RPP-Nepal Chairman Kamal Thapa Saturday predicted Maoists will agree to extend the CA tenure.
“The drama will end and Maoists will support Madhav Kumar Nepal.”
Maoists will adopt a formal position on the tenure extension after Prachands Sunday replies to points raised at the party central committee where 25 politburo and central committee members presented their views on the chairman’s political report on the CA.
Prachanda and Vice-chairmen Mohan Baidya Kiran and Dr Baburam Bhattarai presented differing views.
Prachanda set pre-conditions for the Ca tenure extension, Baidya opposed extension while Bhattarai said the CA term should be extended.`
Nnnn

Another outrageous Indian behaviour

Kathmandu, 22 May: Social Welfare Minister Bidya Chaudhari of the bordering Indian state of UP was sent back Saturday from Kapilvasthu after her armed convoy entered the terai district.
It wasn’t immediately clear how armed convoy entered Nepal through the border crossing where there are check-posts on both sides of the border.
She was delivered to Indian police.
Nnnn

American youngest teen to climb Mount Everest

Kathmandu, 22 May: After Nepal government denied him permission to scale Mount Everest, the 8848 meters highest peak, Jordan Romalo,13, from California climbed the peak from the north in Tibet Saturday, he told his mother via satellite telephone.
Jordan climbed Everest with his father and a Sherpa guide.
He shattered the record of Pemba Shsrpa who climbed the peak at 16 from the south.
Everest is shared by Nepal and China.
Nepal bans under 16s from climbing Everest to protest their health.
Arjun Bajpayee, 16, also became the youngest Indian to scale the peak but from Nepal Saturday; he stepped atop Everest with Appa Sherpa.
Nnnn

NDC meets Sunday

Kathmandu, 22 May: National Development Council (NDC) meet chaired by Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal meets for a two-day session Sunday to approve a three-year development plan.
Maoists said they haven’t been invited to the meet which finalizes the country’s economic development strategy and projects.
nnnn