MAOISTS FAIL TO NOMINATE REMAINING MEMBERS OF GOCT. TEAM

MAOISTS FAIL TO SELECT REMAINING MEMBERS OF GOVT.
TEAM

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 5 April: A meeting of Maoist office bearers empowered
by the standing committee two days ago to select remaining members of a
government team failed to nominate names Tuesday.
The office bearers meet again Wednesday to finalize names.
Only four ministers led by Deputy Prime Minister Krishna Bahaduir Mahara have been selected so far.
Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal, who is also chairman of UML, and
Maoist Chairman Prachanda agreed earlier to expand the small cabinet formed 3 February of UML and Maoist representatives government by Wednesday.
UML also hasn’t selected remaining members of its four-member government team led by Khanal as competing top leaders try to send their lackeys to government.
Chairman Prachanda said at least 100 top leaders loyal to three top leaders are trying to secure ministerial berths.
Maoists also failed Tuesday to appoint an ad hoc committee to hold a convention to elect a new leader of its official trade union.
The union is presently split in three groups supporting three leaders.
Meanwhile, MJFN Chairman Upendra Yadav Tuesday asked the two communist
parties in government : “Who’s stopping government expansion?”
He squarely blamed Maoists and UML in an interview with Kantipur Radio.
MJFN has decided to join government with Yadav leading his party team as foreign minister.
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