THURSDAY’S VOTING FOR PM WILL AGAIN BE INCONCLUSIVE (UPDATE)

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 2 Feb.: Thursday parliamentary voting for prime minister on majority basis in the 599-member legislature will again be inconclusive.
Candidates from the Big Three and a front of the terai with the support of 17parties registered their nominations as parties issued whips to vote Thursday for their candidates.
Maoists could have won a majority with the support of Madesh parties.
The third and final round of voting will be held Sunday.
The third round is expected to be decisive.
Two parties with least votes will be eliminated and a direct contest will be held with two parties collecting most votes the second round.
UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal was the first candidate to register his nomination followed by NC parliamentary party leader Ram Chandra Paudel.
Maoist Chairman Prachanda and MJFL Chairman Bijaya Kumar Gachendra filed nominations as well.
Gachedhar has the support of 17 small parties while seven small
Parties backed Prachanda Wednesday.
Gachedhar has come into the election fray for the first time.
Voting begins Thursday at one in the afternoon.
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NEPAL ROUTS OMAN (UPDATE)

Kathmandu, 2 Feb.: Nepal increased its chances Wednesday of
entering the semi-final of the ACC U-19 Elite Cup in Bangkok.
Nepal beat Oman by 304 runs bowling out Gulf state for 87 runs in 38overs.
Nepal plays Afghanistan Friday.
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PARLIAMENT ORDERS GOVT, TO RELOCATE CASINOS
OUTSIDE CAPITAL

Kathmandu, 2 Feb.: Parliament’s public account committee
Wednesday directed government o relocate casinos outside the capital within 15 days.
The practicality of the directive is questionable.
Casinos are under watch and criticism for not paying dues to government and hotels where they are located and allowing illegal entry into the gambling den to locals.
The committee also asked the government to close down mini
casinos for which government had given operating permits.
Ten casinos operate in the capital and Pokhara.
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