Only three candidates file nominations for premier

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 20 July: Maoist Chairman Prachanda and UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal also filed their nominations for Wednesday’s election of prime minister.
Only three candidates filed their nominations although five papers were collected from the office of parliament.
NC issued a whip Tuesday asking all lawmakers to be present for Wednesday’s voting beginning 11 in the morning.
Prachanda’s nomination was proposed by Vice-chairmen Dr Baburam Bhattarai and seconded by Narayan Kazi Shrestha.
Khanal’s nomination was proposed by Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and seconded by Secretary Bishnu Paudel.
Madesh parties didn’t put up a candidate; they’re likely to support Paudel.
It’s not clear who will emerge victorious Wednesday.
Maoists and UML have a clear majority and will get majority support if there’s no division in the ruling party.
But it may be difficult for the UML to collect 401 votes as directed by the party.
Khanal is the third general secretary of the party after unity between ML and the Manmohan Adhikari led Communist Party of Nepal in 1990.
He was appointed chairman after an amendment in the party statute at the Butwal general convention last year.
The immaculately dressed Khanal was the second general secretary of ML after CP Mainali; the party led a rural campaign killing so-called feudals in Jhapa in the 1970s.
Khanal emerged in the capital from Jhapa following the toppling of partyless panchayat in 1990.
nnnn