PM KHANAL DIDN'T RESIGN AS THREATENED SATURDAY; ADDRESSING PARLIAMENT MONDAY

PRIME MINISTER JHALANATH KHANAL DIDN’T RESIGN AS THREATENED SATURDAY; ADDRESSING PARLIAMENT MONDAY

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 14 Aug.: Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal didn’t resign Saturday night as threatened
The official residence at Baluwatar of the government chief who is also chairman of UML was the center of activity from morning until night Saturday..
A meting began early morning Saturday with a meeting of the Big Three—Maoists, UML and main opposition NC.
The parties rejected Khanal’s proposal for an outlet to end a political created with his threatened resignation without the conclusion immediately of a delayed peace process.
But fringe parties supporting the Khanal government asked the premier to withhold his threatened resignation which would create a political void and uncertainty and crisis.
A late night meeting of the UCPN (Maoist) and uML following the request was inconclusive.
Maoist Chairman Prachanda laid a claim to lead the government as the largest political party; second Vice-chairman Jhalanath Khanal is the party candidate to lead a national not a majority government..
Baluwatar will for the second consecutive day be the center of activity Sunday.
Parliament won’t see any activity Sunday because of a Valley public holiday because of Gai Jatra,
UML general Secretary Ishwor Pokhrel demanded Khanal’s resignation in principle ground.
The central committee of the party heading the government is scheduled to meet Sunday to consider disciplinary action against the government and party chief for reshuffling his six-month government with a new nine-member Maoist team led by defence Minister Narayan Kazi Shrestha, who is also home minister.
Khanal will address parliament Monday his office said Saturday night.
“The prime minister is holding discussions and consultations with various sides until the final hours as his self-imposed deadline is expiring today (Saturday), press aide Surya Thapa said in a statement.
“In this context, the prime minister will put forth his views to the nation in front of the supreme people’s representative body the legislature-parliament, as his commitment is also an issue for the house.”
Prachanda said a national government pushed by his party will be the first after the constituent assembly elections swept by Maoists nearly four years ago,
After Maoists won the elections, NC—the second largest party—amended the constitution to replace consensus politics with a provision for majority rule.
Prachanda led a government only after the constitution was amended with NC support which is now pushing national government with its claim to lead it.
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