Nothing will move until PL resigns: Maoists

Kathmandu, 25 June: Amid hardening positions, Maoist Chairman Prachanda said Saturday nothing will move ahead, including the presentation and approval of the annual budget in parliament until Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal resigns.
He said this while detailing the outcome of the main opposition’s 10-day politburo meet.
‘The character of the government should be changed to a caretaker government,” he said.
The leadership of a national government was left open.
Letting Dr Baburam Bhattarai reply, the party vice-chairman said,” The party will decide this.”
There’s a dispute in the party whether Prachanda or alternate candidates, including Vice-chairman Dr Baburam Bhattarai should lead such a government.
As it became clear a unity government isn’t likely to be formed soon, Prachanda left options open for formation of unity or majority government.
‘We’ve decided keeping both options open,” Prachanda said.
Maoist chief demanded the implementation of the 28 May tripartite agreement.
RESIGNATION OPTIONAL: PM Nepal
Meanwhile, PM Nepal said Saturday his resignation was a ‘personal issue’ and it won’t come on demand adding it’s wrong to claim government’s utility has ended.
“Government will be stronger with each threat,” he said asking for at last ‘minimum understanding’ to move forward.
Nepal charged UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal and Bamdeb Gautam for attempting to place Maoists in government by ‘splitting’ the party.
“Was there a split? Was there blood-letting?” he asked after a botched indefinite blockade.
Maoist politburo decided all qualified 19,000 plus former fighters should be integrated into Nepal Army even as government said publicly it’s not ready to take not more than 4,000 to 7,000 fighters.
Maoist position on integration and resettlement has hardened after the politburo meet.
The process that was to be completed in six months after the comprehensive peace agreement (CPA) has lingered for three years.
The politburo was authorized by the standing committee to adopt modalities for integration and completing the peace process.
The vague CPA doesn’t specify exact numbers to be integrated and resettled and Nepali Congress leaders claim there was an unwritten agreement between Girija Prasad Koirala and Prachanda to integrate only 3,500 fighters.
Maoists have decided to convene a meeting of an expanded central committee following meetings outside the capital to explain party decisions.
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Hindu leader shot dead in Birgunj

Kathmandu, 26 June: Hindu Yuba Sangh Chairman Kashi Tiwari was shot dead in Birgunj Saturday.
He died while undergoing treatment at hospital.
Assailants fired four rounds and fled.
Hindus are active in the town even after the declaration of a republic.
Former King Gyanendra this month visited the central terai districts of Parsa, Bara and Rautahat and offered puja and prayers at temples in the central terai districts.
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Three Nepali Congress activists injured in clashes with Maoists

Kathmandu, 26 June: Ten Nepali Congress activists and policeman Anil Thapa were injured in clashes between Maoists the ruling party workers at Dhungadade in Gorkha district Saturday, the party said.
Seven persons have gone missing.
Fifty to 60 Maoists attacked a motorcycle convoy of five heading for the capital, the party added.
The dispute broke over appointment of a school management committee at a village.
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Rato Machindranath bhoto display Sunday

Kathmandu, 26 June: The Rato Machindranath bhoto will be displayed from the chariot at Jawalakhel Sunday at five in the afternoon.
The chariot was pulled there Thursday amid disruptions.
The festival invoking rain started 20 May.
Devotees thronged to Jawalakhel Saturday to offer worship; there a festive atmosphere in the area.
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Selection for closed camp

Kathmandu, 26 June: Eight players have been chosen by Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) for a closed camp for the ICC World Cricket League Division 4 being played 14-21 August in Italy.
Paras Khadka is capital and Gyanendra Malla his deputy.
Others are: Shakti Gauchan, Sharad Veswakar, Mahesh Chettri, Anil Kumar Mandal, Amrit Bhattarai, Basanta Regmi, Binod Das, Sanjam Regmi, Rahul BK, Manjeet Shrestha, Mehboob Alam, Pradeep Ayree, Naresh Budhayer, Binod Bhandari, Bhuwan Karki and Pushpa Thapa.
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Next budget around Rs 350 billion

Kathmandu, 26 June Finance Minister Surendra Pandey revealed Saturday ahead of the budget presentation, the size of the budget of fiscalyear 2010.11 will be around Rs 350 billion.
Eighty percent of it will be financed through internal resources, he a gathering in the capital Saturday.
With a political standoff, the budget could be presented through ordinance.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“The size of the population minister is nine [eight sons and on daughter]. I feel ashamed and fearful people might say why listen of population talk from such a minister.”

(Minister of State for Population Khadga Bahadur Basyal, Annapurna Post, 26 June)
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