MAOISTS REJECT UML OFFER TO RETAIN HOME MINISTRY; WON’T JOIN GOVT.

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 25 Feb.: Maoists Friday rejected a UML suggestion to break a deadlock in government expansion and decided not to join the government of Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal elected three weeks ago 3 February by parliament with Maoist support.
Khanal held inconclusive discussions with top Maoist leaders for the
third successive time in three days with asking them to join government and help expand government.
The prime minister asked Chairman Prachanda to join government while he’ll head the home ministry demanded by Maoists.
Maoist Vice-chairman Narayan Kazi Shrestha said his party rejected the UML decision to amend the 7-point agreement and keep the home ministry portfolio..
“Talks weren’t positive,” Shrestha said.
He said Maoists can’t accept the UML decision to amend the 7-point agreement and keep the home portfolio.
Khanal hasn’t been able to expand his four-member cabinet formed
3 February.
Maoists standing committee later officially decided not to join government immediately.
The committee decided not to join government until an environment is created for implementing a controversial 7-point agreement between Khanal and Prachanda.
But the party decided to support the government until it works for completing the peace process and constitution drafting, Spokesman Dinanath Sharma said.
Sharma said his party isn’t satisfied with the UML central committee decision to amend the agreement and its renewed explanation of the amendment.
UML hasn’t implement the 7-point agreement, the Maoist standing committee decided.
Maoists will lend outside support to the Khanal government, the standing committee decided.
Maoist standing committee met Friday afternoon to discuss official party position following inconclusive talks with UML.
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SUB-COMMITEEE TO ATTEMPT TO PROMULGATE A CONSTITUTION

Kathmandu. 25 Feb. A sub-committee to be headed by Chairman Prachanda was formed Friday to discuss and resolve differences on 80 contentious topics to be included in a constitution to institutionalize a declared republic.
The main constitution drafting committee headed by Nilambar Acharya formed the five-member committee.
Other members of the sub-committee are Madhav Kumar Nepal from UML, Ram Chandra Paudel from NC, Kalpana Rana from CPN (United); the fifth member will represent Madeshbadi parties.
The sub-committee will report to the main committee by 14 March.
Prachanda earlier headed a task force of all parties in the constituent assembly to iron out differences on a proposed constitution; it reached agreement on 127 topics.
The sub-committee will adopt its own work procedure and formally appoitt Prachanda coordinator.
A constitution has to be promulgated by 28 May.
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EMIR WELCOMES PRESIDENT IN KUWAIT

Kathmandu, 25 Feb.: Kuwait’s Emir Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Aal-Sabha welcomed President Dr Ram Baran Yadav when he landed at the emirate for a three-day official visit Friday.
The president returns home Sunday.
The president heads a 14-member delegation; his daughter is in the team.
Foreign Secretary Madan Bhattarai is accompanying the president,
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NEPAL PLACED FOURTH IN ACC T20 WOMEN’S CRICKET TOURNAMENT

Kathmandu, 25 Feb. Nepal was placed fourth in the ACC T20 women’s cricket tournament after losing by 13 runs to Thailand Friday in Kuwait.
Nepal topped Group by beating Thailand in group matches.
Nepal lost to Hong Kong in the final for the second successive time.
chasing a target of 77 runs.
Nepal was defeated by bad batting after bowling out Thailand for 76 runs on 17.5 overs.
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GOVT. OFFICES CLOSED DOWN IN NARAYANI ANCHAL; WITHDRAW PROTEST

Kathmandu, 25 Feb.: Striking government in Narayani anchal Friday withdrew their three-day indefinite protest following an agreement with government which agreed to compensate the family of a slain government employee.
Government also agreed to provide employment to a member of the employee’s family.
Government officials closed down government in a;; districts in Narayani anchal Friday for the third successive day.
They were protesting Tuesday’s murder of revenue official Mohan Thapa in Bara Tuesday.
Officials went on protests from Wednesday.
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NC ACTIVIST KILLED IN SIRAHA

Kathmandu, 25 Feb. NC activist Mohommad Achub died while being rushed to Lahan for treatment in Sihara Friday.
Another person was injured in the violence.
The district is tense after abduction this week of Ayush Shah whose whereabouts is still not known.
Violence continues in the terai unabated.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“People have responsibility to all parties to unitedly run the country, run government and institutionalize democracy. But parties are embroiled in disputes. This will push the country to additional problems.”

(President Dr Ram Baran Yadav, Gorkhapatra, 25 Feb.)

‘In the past, everybody was afraid of YCL, but not anymore. So we are planning to constitute a new force.”

(Maoist leader CP Gajurel, The Kathmandu Post, 25 Feb.)
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INDEFINITE EXTENSION BY SC OF CA TENURE TO DRAFT CONSTITUTION OPPOSED BY LAWYERS; NBA STUDYING SC VERDICT

Kathmandu, 25 Feb.: Legal and constitutional experts have expressed serious disagreement with the latest verdict of the supreme court the tenure of the constituent assembly (CA) will continue until a constitution is promulgated, Gorkhapatra reports.
Nepal Bar Association (NBA) will make a detailed study of the decision.
The court has the responsibility to interpret the constitution. Lawyers and constitutional experts said the apex court has attempted to amend the constitution through the verdict creating legal anarchy.
They asked the court to correct the decision immediately.
‘The verdict of the supreme court is very serious. It encourages the CA not to promulgate the constitution in the deadline,” NBA General Secretary Advocate Bijaya Prasad Mishra said. ‘The NBA will conduct a detailed study of the decision taking it seriously.”
‘Instead of saying the constitution should be promulgated within the deadline, It’s wrong to say the constitution drafting be completed anytime. This is a wrong interpretation of the constitution. Anarchy wilf be invited in the country if the tenure of a body formed by people for a specified period continues indefinitely. This is against the right of people to vote,” said constitutional expert Dr. Bhimarjun Adhikari.
“The supreme court has rejected the accepted principle that election is the fundamental basis of democracy,” Advocate Tikaram Bhattarai said.
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