Prachanda, Nemwang meet

Kathmandu, 31 July: Maoist Chairman Prachanda and Speaker of Parliament Subash Nemwang Saturday discussed the extended political impasse ahead of Monday’s runoff election for prime minister.
Nemwang expressed concern with the delay in electing a prime minister and formation of a new government which is affecting the constitution drafting process.
The runoff vote to choose the successor of caretaker Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal is again likely to be indecisive.
Nemwang urged the vote should be decisive to form a new government to remove uncertainty.
UML has decided to boycott the poll again Monday.
Chairman Prachanda and NC Vice-president Ram Chandra Paudel are contesting the vote.
Prachanda said a government of national should be formed adding he could also lead a majority government following Monday’s vote.
“There could be a result Monday,” he said after meeting Nemwang.
UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal Friday again asked both candidates to withdraw their candidacies.
“”You couldn’t form a majority government in two rounds of elections; now open the door for a government of understanding and withdraw your candidacies,” Khanal told a public meeting in the capital.
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Regional conventions of NC begin

Kathmandu, 31 July: Regional conventions of NC began from eight in the morning Saturday to elect nearly 2,000 delegates from 60 districts for the 12th general convention in the capital in the third week of August..
Elections in 15 districts will be held 10 August.
Elections were deferred because of internal dispute and weather as the country is gripped by a monsoon..
Regional chairmen and 11 representatives will be elected from each 200 electoral constituencies.
The general convention will elect a new party leadership following the death of President Girija Prasad Koirala who kept a tight reign on the country’s oldest political party.
Meanwhile, three-time prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and former home minister Khum Bahadur Khadka Friday discussed a tie-up for elections at the convention.
Deuba sought support for his candidacy as president while agreeing to back Khadka as party general secretary.
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Cholera traces found in Nepalgunj

Kathmandu, 31 July: Traces of cholera have been detected in Nepalgunj where at least five persons have died of diarrhea, government officials said.
Hundreds have fallen sick.
Further tests are being conducted in the capital.
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Nepal pushes for upgrading president’s China visit

Kathmandu, 31 July: Foreign ministry is confused after Beijing proposed President Dr Ram Baran Yadav pay only an official visit to China even as the president completed a state visit of India, Kantipur reports.
The foreign ministry believes the China visit of Nepal’s first president should be a state visit after the visit to one neighbouring country was a state visit
The foreign ministry believes the differences in the levels of visits could have ‘other interpretations’.
“Questions could crop up on Nepal’s diplomatic exercise,” a senior foreign ministry said.
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US ambassador DeLisi holds discussions with NSP leader

Kathmandu, 31 July: US Ambassador Scott H. DeLisi who has intensified his diplomatic activities with the ongoing political impasse, held discussions Friday with NSP Chairman Rajendra Mahoto.
DeLisi earlier held separate discussions with two prime ministerial candidates Maoist Chairman Prachanda and NC Vice-president Raam Chandra Paudel.
The ambassador also exchanged ideas with NC Acting President Sushil Koirala and UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal.
The third round of run off elections for prime minister is likely to be inconclusive Monday.
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Govt. assures security for VDC secretaries

Kathmandu, 31 July: Government is to provide special security to VDC secretaries, Annapurna Post reports.
The decision was taken Friday at a meeting chaired by Home Secretary DR Gobinda Prasad Kusum.
A decision was also taken asking secretaries to withdraw their collective resignations.
Security personnel will be deployed for security and agencies have been instructed.
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