Maoists, UML to decide Tuesday on candidate for PM

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 19 July: With only 12 hours remaining for parties to announce names of their candidate for prime minister to succeed Madhav Kumar Nepal, Nepali Congress is the only party to formally announce its candidacy.
Nominations have to be filed from 11 in the morning to five in the afternoon Tuesday; election will be held in the 601-member parliament Wednesday,
Maoist Vice-chairman Narayan Kazi Shrestha said a meeting of party office bearers decided to support the candidacy of UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal if the main opposition doesn’t put up a candidate.
But another Vice-chairman Dr Baburam Bhattarai said a final decision will be taken Tuesday by the party’s politburo hours before the 11 AM deadline expires for candidates to file nominations.
Bhattarai sought the support of Nepal Majdoor Kishan Party Chairman Narayaman Bijukakchaya for his party’s bid for prime minister.
Meanwhile, UML central committee meeting began five hours late at four in the afternoon to decide its candidate.
The inconclusive meet will continue Tuesday whether to contest elections.
The meeting discussed the Maoist proposal to support Khanal.
Office bearers earlier held discussions at the official residence of the prime minister to discuss the party’s candidacy.
The party is divided on the candidacy of Chairman Jhalanath Khanal with influential member KP Sharma Oli is opposed to Khanal’s candidacy.
Oli is close to Nepali Congress while Khanal is close to Maoists.
Seventeen parties asked three parties Monday to assemble a consensus government even until the last moment.
Nepali Congress Ram Chandra Paudel Monday revealed Khanal hasn’t responded to his request for a meeting even in three days toseek UML support for the Congress candidacy.
nnnn

Cricket squad announced

Kathmandu, 19 July: A 14-member squad for the ACC Division 4 league tournament beginning in Italy 14 August was announced Monday.
Paras Khadka will lead the squad while Gyanendra Mallla has been named vice-captain.
nnnn

Nepal, Tibet road link snapped

Kathmandu, 19 July; A massive landslide on the Arniko Highway snapped the road link between Kathmandu and Tibet Monday.
Hundreds of tourists transiting to Tibet via the road link have been stranded.
Heavy rain has triggered landslides and inundated flatlands in the terai.
nnnn