POLITICAL ATMOSPHERE HEATS UP AS DAY OF RECONING FOR PM KHANAL APPROACHES

POLITICAL ATMOSPHERE HEATING UP AS DAY OF RECONING FOR PM APPROACHES

Kathmandu, 11 Aug.: Ailing Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal and Maoist Chairman Prachanda Thursday discussed a ‘breakthrough’ by Friday in the completion of the peace process, the government’s chief press aide Surya Thapa said.
The discussions were ‘serious’ and a breakthrough is expected Friday,on formation of a national unity government. he added.
Prime Minister Khanal has said he’ll resign Saturday if the process isn’t completed the same day.
Khanal asked the Maoist chief to take a firm decision initiate to complete the process.
Khanal told the Maoist boss he was firm on his decision to resign and said the country will face ‘serious’ situation without the completion of the peace process,
Firrt Maoist Vice-chairman Mohan Baidya Thursday asked Khanal not to resign like other Maoist leaders who argued Madhav Kumar Nepal continued as caretaker prime minister for more than seven months without a successor government in place.
Speaker Subash Nemwang and Khanal also held discussions Thursday as the political atmosphere heats up before a threatened resignation
Meanwhile, President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav asked parties to complete the peace process and drafting a ‘democratic constitution;-- a demand of main opposition of NC of which he was an activist before being elected the first president.
The president called for a government of national understanding and reminded a delegation of journalists three majority governments had failed to completed the assigned tasks in the past.
“It’s my duty,” to protect the constitution, the president said.
“I have to work by remaining within the constitution,” Dr.Yadav said obviously attempting to scotch fears of a presidential rule after 31 August.
He suggested a four-party not a three-party national government.
President Dr. Yadav Thursday discussed the situation after Khanal resigns Saturday with NC President Sushil Koirala
The main opposition is observing whether the resignation assurance is implemented and temporarily discontinued its obstruction of parliamentary proceedings Thursday.

PRAKASH MAN SINGH SUPPORTS RAM CHANDRA PAUDEL

Kathmandu, 11 Aug.: NC General Secretary Prakash Man Singh.said Thursday following a central committee meeting the party statute clearly states leader of the parliamentary is the party’s candidate for prime minister.
‘It should be implemented. The party statute clearly says leader of the parliamentary party will be the candidate for prime minister,” Singh after an inconclusive central committee meet
Three-time prime minister and senior party leader has pushed a claim through a signature campaign.
The central committee also discussed proposal for seven provinces in a federal structure.
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NEA COLLECTS MORE REVENUE AS CAMPAIGN CONTINUES TO CUT OFF POWER SUPPLY TO GOVT. OFFICES UPDATE

Kathmandu, 11 Aug. Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has so far cutoff power supply to 250 government offices after a power cutoff campaign to office that haven’t settled electricity dues was launched Wednesday
Altogether Rs. 202.5 million in dues from government offices have been collected so far, NEA said,
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