PAUDEL DEFEATED IN 16th ROUND VOTING FOR PM

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 4 Nov.: NC Vice-President Ram Chandra Paudel was defeated in the 16th round of voting for prime minister in parliament Thursday.
The 17th round election will be held 8 November after Tihar.
Paudel got 92 votes, two lawmakers stayed neutral and 77 legislators votes against.
Rashtriya Janashakti Party President Surya Bahadur Thapa held two rounds of dinner meetings for top NC leaders this week asking the party not to withdraw Paudel’s candidature in an anti-Maoist posture.
He lobbied for a so-called ‘democratic front’.
UML leaders, present coalition partners of NC in the caretaker government, weren’t present at the dinner reception.
NC is attempting to wrest government leadership from UML—an attempt being resisted by UML establishment faction led by Chairman Jhalanath Khanal.
Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and KP Sharma Oli are attempting to force a change in establishment thinking.
Thapa is considered close to India.
NC President Sushil Koirala didn’t attend Thapa’s dinner meet.
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PUBLIC HOLIDAY ANNOUNCEDON MONDAY NOV. 8

Kathmandu, 4 Nov.: Under pressure from Newar community, government Thursday announced a public holiday Monday 8 November.
The Newar community, disagreeing with the Panchayan Nirnaryak Samiti, said Maja Puja, or the worship of the self, of the community is on Monday not Sunday.
The day is also the new year of the community.
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