PARTY POSTERINGS AS 28 MAY APPROACHES

MAOISTS DEFENSIVE; NC AGGRESSIVE; MADESHIS ITCHING FOR FIGHT

Kathmandu, 8 May: Parties are floating ideas publicly on how to handle a situation when a constitution isn’t promulgated for the second time in three years in the remaining 20 days by 28 May,
In an attempt to defend himself and his party for failure to complete a basic law in the last three years, Chairman Parchanda said ‘there’s no example constitution anywhere in the world’ of a constitution being promulgated in three years.
“The possibility of promulgating a new constitution by 28 May has come to an end now,” the Maoist chief told a meeting in Nawalparasi Saturday.
A constitution can be extended for sometime with the agreement of three parties, he said.
Prachanda had earlier suggested taking to the people an integrated draft incorporating agreements so far on ‘eighty percent of articles” in a basic law.
Communication Minister Agni Sapkota (Maoist) Saturday called for a four-month CA extension.
NC President Sushil Koirala Saturday asked Maoists to come out with a modality for integration for their 19,000 former combatants within five days and warned without such a modality the party won’t agree to a CA extension.
“… we have been waiting for them [promises to implement past agreements] for the last time. We will certainly launch a movement if the Maoists do not live up to their commitments this time. We can’t stay quiet ,” Koirala warned in Tulsipur, Dang.
‘Change hasn’t been institutionalized because of integration. Maoists must come forward with clarity now.”
Meanwhile, Madeshi Moracha of three big terai parties Saturday launched public meetings from Kanchanpur in the far-West to demanding completion of the peace process and promulgation of a constitution by the deadline.
The meeting was addressed by MJFL Chairman Bijaya Gachedhar, TMLP Chief Mahanta Thakur and NSP Chairman Rajendra Mahoto.
They charged government isn’t serious on drafting a constitution and warned protests will be launched in a Madesh friendly basic law isn’t framed,
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FIVE KILLED IN LIGHTNING

Kathmandu, 8 May: Five persons were killed by lightning Saturday in Kavre and Nawalparasi.
Three women, including a mother and daughter, were killed in Falematar, Kavre, while five were injured.
Two died at Jhurkot in Nawalparasi.
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THREE TOP LEADERS IN DANG

Kathmandu, 8 May: President Sushil Koirala, Vice-president Ram Chandra Paudel and three-time Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba who claims he’s second ranking leader in the man opposition party, appeared jointly in Dang Saturday to give the public a message of unity.
They have been addressing public meetings jointly in districts since 24 May celebrated now celebrated as republic day.
The trio started their tour from Pokhara; such meetings have been held in Jhapa, Sarlahi and Butwal.
The party has adopted peace, loktantra and promulgation of a democratic constitution as the mottos for a national awareness campaign.
Once the largest party, UCPN (Maoist) has replaced NC after constituent assembly (CA) elections in April 2008; communists now in a majority in parliament and have formed a majority with Maoists and UML under Jhalanath Khanal entrenched in Singha Durbar..
The three central leaders address rallies Monday in Mahendranagar and in the capital 20 May.
Simultaneously, other central leaders are also addressing district meetings to push a constitution and completion of the peace process by the 28 May deadline.
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MAHARA OVERTURNS DECISION TO TRANSFER 65 SPs

Kathmandu, 8 May: Home Minister Krishna Bahadr Mahara has intervened and asked Nepal (NP) not to implement a hurried decision to transfer 65 SPs Wednesday night,
They were collectively transferred Wednesday evening by IGP Ramesh Chand Thakuri as Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara was taking his oath of office and secrecy.
Before the Maoist takeover of the sensitive ministry, Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal was looking after the home ministry.
Mahara was transferred to home from the communication ministry in an expansion and reshuffle of the Khanal government,
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“Because a faction in the NC and UML aren’t positive for a people’s constitution, we’ve raised a bogey of people’s revolt.”

(Maoist Secretary CP Gajurel, Nagarik, 8 May)

“He [prime minister] has breached the party decision not to give any security related ministries o the Maoists. The party may recall and suspend him from respective positions.”

(UML woman leader Bidya Bhadari, The Kathmandu Post, 8 May)

“I’ve been accused because of political vendetta. This is not a personal issue. An issue related to people’s war can’t be considered personal; it’s the party’s.”

(Communication Minster Agni Sapkota reacting to UN charge against him and investigation for rights abuse during people’s war, Kantipur, 8 May)
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