Khanal won’t get two-third majority sought by UML

Kathmandu, 21 July: Jhalanath Khanal won’t muster the two-third majority or 401 votes in parliament the UML said he should muster to be elected by parliament Wednesday/Friday.
Speaker after speaker of various small parties said they will abstain in voting for the prime minister, including leaders of four Madesh parties with decisive 81 seats in the legislature.
Chairman Upendra Yadav of MJFN said his splinter group will abstain in the vote.
Only Sarita Giri expelled from NSP (Debi) said her party will vote for Khanal.
The UML chairman will have to withdraw his candidacy for premier as it’s almost certain the party won’t garner the support of 401 lawmakers in the 599-seat parliament.
Ram Chandra Paudel and Chairman Prachanda will contest in direct election in the second round Friday.
Speakers charged three parties with a two-third majority showed no interest in the last two years in completing the peace process and drafting a constitution to institutionalize a republic.
The neglect, they said, continued after the 28 May tripartite agreement as the three parties continued efforts to retain or bring down the government.
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