Jhalanath Khanal asks Maoists, NC to withdraw from race for prime minister

Kathmandu, 29 July: UML Chairman Jhananath Khanal Thursday asked Maoist and NC candidates Thursday to withdraw their candidacies for the runoff elections for prime minister Monday for ‘national consensus’.
Nepali Congress Vice-President Prakash Man Singh and Maoist Vice-chairman immediately rejected the request from the same platform.
Khanal said he suggested Chairman Prachanda and NC Vice-President Ram Chandra Paudel to withdraw their candidacies for a ‘for a new way to find a solution.’
With UML decision to boycott Monday’s election, another runoff election for prime minister is almost inevitable.
Prachanda predicted Thursday Monday’s election will also be inconclusive pushing the nation towards a political crisis.
Indian and US diplomats have intensified their activities meeting leaders as the political standoff continues.
Indian Ambassador Rakesh Sood held discussion with NC Acting President Sushil Koirala after holding discussions with Paudel one day earlier.
US Ambassador Scott H. DeLisi held separate discussions with Prachanda and Deputy Prime Minister Bijaya Kumar Gachedhar amid concerns with the standoff.
Meanwhile, Maoist Vice-chairman Narayan Kazi Shrestha said Thursday his party has rejected a demand of a front of four Madesh parties for One Madesh, One Pradesh.
Nepali Congress has said its central committee can only decide on the 16 demands of the terai parties.
Both parties are unwilling to meet Madesh demands immediately; the four parties could likely boycott Monday’s elections as well as they demanded written support from the two parties for their crucial 89 votes.
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11 arrested for alleged involvement on forging passports

Kathmandu, 29 July: Eleven persons were arrested Wednesday and Thursday in police raids in the capital for forging passports.
Two persons were arrested Wednesday and nine Thursday from different locations in the capital.
Police suspect the gangs faked more than 200 passports,
Police believe at least five groups are involved in forging passports.
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TRADE, COMMERCE, ECONOMY

Nepse index gains 1.84 points

Kathmandu, 29 July: Nepse index gained 1.84 points on the last day of five-day weekly trading Thursday.
The market closed ar 461.63 points with the banking sector gaining 3.91 points.
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