NPC PLAYS DORDOI IN AFC PRESIDENT’S CUP IN CAMBODIA SATURDAY Kathmandu, 5 May: Nepal Police Club (NPC) plays Dordoi of Kyrgyastan in Group of AFC President’s Cup in Phnom Penh Saturday. NPC plays Phnon Penh Monday and Bhutan in the Griup Wednesday. nnnm MAJORITY IN UML AGAINST JOINING BHATTARAIL GOVT. Kathmandu, 5 May A day after top leaders from major political parties inked a deal agreeing to form a national unity government under the leadership of Baburam Bhattarai, most of those airing their views at a Central Committee (CC) meeting of the CPN-UML criticized UML leaders for agreeing to join the Bhattarai-led government and pressed the party leadership not to join, Republica reports. Some 25 CC members aired their views at the meeting but only three of them -- Mukunda Neupane, Bangshidhar Mishra and Netra Panthi -- saw no harm in joining the Bhattarai-headed coalition. The rest criticized the leaders fiercely. Most of those who stood against the decision argued that the UML simply cannot join the Bhattarai-led coalition because the party had strongly objected to the four-point pact signed between the UCPN (Maoist) and the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF). Those suggesting the party not join the government include party Vice-chairperson Bidya Bhandari, Ghanshyam Bhusal, Agni Kharel, Bhanubhakta Dhakal, Yogesh Bhattarai and Khagaraj Adhikari. "The UML voted against Baburam Bhattarai´s candidacy in parliament and he was only elected with votes from UDMF lawmakers; so how come we can now join a government led by Bhattarai himself," said UML CC member Yogesh Bhattarai. "That´s why we strongly believe that our party should not join the coalition." They also argued that the present government cannot be a national consensus government because it was formed under Article 138(2) of the Interim Constitution that allows for formation of a majority government. Party Secretary Shankar Pokharel informed that many of those airing their views criticized the party leaders for not insisting on the party´s stance-- that is, forming a consensus government from scratch under Article 138(1). They were for Bhattarai stepping down first and then forming a consensus government. Another CC member, Ghanshyam Bhusal, ruled out any possibility of the UML joining the government because the party had officially protested against the four-point pact which was the basis of the Bhattarai-led government. "The proposed consensus government under Bhattarai´s leadership is only a continuation of that Maoist-Madhesi parties coalition. So there is no possibility of our party´s ongoing Central Committee meeting endorsing the proposal to join the government," Bhusal told Republica. However, according to participants present at the meeting, Mishra and Neupane argued that it would be a blunder on the part of the third-largest party, UML, to turn its back on the historic responsibility of playing a crucial role in constitution writing. "The five-point agreement is an outcome of the special political circumstances of the country and is the reality," a leader quoted Mishra as saying at the meeting. "We should play a leading and crucial role in constitution writing and institutionalizing the achievements rather than turn our backs on a historic responsibility." He argued at the meeting that the UML will lose credibility with the public if it shirks its role over major political issues on an excuse of technical issues. Mishra also argued that there was no point saying the proposed coalition will give continuity to the four-point pact reached with the Madhesi parties because the five-point deal reached Thursday midnight had superceded that earlier pact. Also, some members at the meeting expressed serious concern over reports that Indian ambassador to Nepal Jayant Prasad was present at the meeting of top leaders including Prime Minister Bhattarai, UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Nepali Congress General Secretary Krishna Situala and other key negotiators involved in signing the deal. Rumors were making the rounds that the same meeting at Dahal´s residence Wednesday afternoon played a crucial role in giving continuity to the Bhattarai-led government for some more weeks. "Many members argued seriously that diplomatic missions must remain within their limits and at the same time our leaders also must take diplomatic norms into considerations while dealing with foreigners," said a participant. Another leader informed that some of the members suggested to the UML leaders not to join the Bhattarai-led government because foreigners were unnecessarily active in salvaging the beleaguered Bhattarai government´s image and giving it continuity. NEW CABINET LIKELY TO MAVE TWO DOZEN MEMBERS Kathmandu, 5 May: A day after the five-point agreement was struck among major parties for the formation of national consensus government, leaders have stepped up negotiations to form a cabinet likely to have over two dozen ministers, Kish Raj Koirala reports in Republica. Parties are mulling to allocate at least four ministerial portfolios to each major parties in the new cabinet led by Baburam Bhattarai. "There had been an agreement to form a small cabinet. But since there are many constituent parties in the United Democratic Madhesi Front, they have asked us to reconsider the number of portfolios," Nepali Congress (NC) Vice President Ram Chandra Paudel told Republica. Arguing that the demand of the UDMF was ´justified´, Paudel, who is also parliamentary party leader of NC, said they were scheduled to hold further discussions on Saturday to settle the number. "Though we have not yet fixed size of cabinet, it is certainly likely to be bigger than what we had originally planned," he further said. Earlier, the parties had announced their intention to a small size cabinet of not more than 15 members. Leaders involved in the negotiations after the five-point deal said discussions were currently underway to form a 27-member cabinet. Sources said the parties planned to swear in at least two ministers each from the UCPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress and CPN-UML by Saturday evening. As they were yet to work out detail on power sharing, the UCPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress and CPN-UML by Saturday evening. As they were yet to work out detail on power sharing, the parties were planning to induct remaining ministers "in their share" in due course of time. A meeting of top leaders of three major political parties - Maoist, Nepali Congress and the UML-and United Democratic Madhesi Front held at the official residence of the prime minister at Baluwatar Friday evening reached an understanding to induct ministers in the cabinet by Saturday evening after the NC and UML said they were yet to hold internal discussions on nominations. "Our party is yet to hold discussions on who to send to the cabinet. The issue will be settled by tomorrow [Saturday] evening," Krishna Prasad Sitaula of NC said A meeting of top leaders of three major political parties - Maoist, Nepali Congress and the UML-and United Democratic Madhesi Front held at the official residence of the prime minister at Baluwatar Friday evening reached an understanding to induct ministers in the cabinet by Saturday evening after the NC and UML said they were yet to hold internal discussions on nominations. "Our party is yet to hold discussions on who to send to the cabinet. The issue will be settled by tomorrow [Saturday] evening," Krishna Prasad Sitaula of NC said n the five-point agreement reached late Thursday night, the parties agreed to form a national consensus government under Bhattarai by Saturday. All the ministers in the Bhattarai-led cabinet had announced their resignation with immediate effect as per the five-point deal, Thursday. .CPN-UML senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal said his party was still discussing on its options. "Our central committee meeting will continue tomorrow [Saturday]. We will disclose the party´s official stance whether to join the government through CC meeting," he said. Though Nepal claimed that the meeting did not hold much discussion on size and the sharing of ministerial portfolios among parties in the new cabinet, sources said the parties were at odds over power sharing as some parties are staking claims on key ministries. While Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar has insisted that he would retain home ministry even in the new cabinet and Raj Kishor Yadav of Madhesi People´s Rights Forum-Republica has also maintained that he would not relinquish Ministry of Information and Communications (MoICs). Likewise the Maoists have already staked claim over foreign and energy ministries. Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, NC President Sushil Koirala, Vice President Ram Chandra Paudel, Senior leader Sher Bahadur Deuba, General Secretary Krishna Sitaula from the NC, Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar of Madhesi People´s Rights Forum-Democratic and Mahantha Thakur of Tarai Madhes Democratic Party,were among those present in the meeting. The leaders also decided to call meetings of dispute resolution sub-committee and constitutional committee to settle various contentious issues of new constitution, according Sitaula. Meanwhile, NC office bearers gathered at the residence of party president Sushil Koirala in Maharajgunj for internal discussions shortly after the meeting at Baluwatar. The meeting attended by Vice President Paudel, General Secretaries Prakash Man Singh and Sitaula and some influential leaders is learnt to have discussed party´s leadership in the cabinet and on settling row that exist with Sher Bahadur Deuba faction in the party. nnnn ________________________________________ ________________________________________ Related News Midnight deal Ministers resign en masse at midnight Strike, demos part of Madhesi alliance pressure tactics A new beginning? Parties still at loggerheads over state restructuring More on Political Affairs Majority press party to shun Bhattarai-led govt Settle intra-party disputes before party joins govt: Deuba Baidya faction opposes 5-pt deal Shrestha, Bogati to continue as ministers in new cabinet Prez lauds 5-pt agreement Ministers resign en masse at midnight No consensus govt under Article 38 (2): UML Protestors burn effigies of 22 lawmakers Govt declares Janakpur blast victims martyrs Prime Minister to dissolve cab Majority press party to shun Bhattarai-led govt Kathmandu, 5 May A day after top leaders from major political parties inked a deal agreeing to form a national unity government under the leadership of Baburam Bhattarai, most of those airing their views at a Central Committee (CC) meeting of the CPN-UML criticized UML leaders for agreeing to join the Bhattarai-led government and pressed the party leadership not to join, Republica reports. Some 25 CC members aired their views at the meeting but only three of them -- Mukunda Neupane, Bangshidhar Mishra and Netra Panthi -- saw no harm in joining the Bhattarai-headed coalition. The rest criticized the leaders fiercely. Most of those who stood against the decision argued that the UML simply cannot join the Bhattarai-led coalition because the party had strongly objected to the four-point pact signed between the UCPN (Maoist) and the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF). Those suggesting the party not join the government include party Vice-chairperson Bidya Bhandari, Ghanshyam Bhusal, Agni Kharel, Bhanubhakta Dhakal, Yogesh Bhattarai and Khagaraj Adhikari. "The UML voted against Baburam Bhattarai´s candidacy in parliament and he was only elected with votes from UDMF lawmakers; so how come we can now join a government led by Bhattarai himself," said UML CC member Yogesh Bhattarai. "That´s why we strongly believe that our party should not join the coalition." They also argued that the present government cannot be a national consensus government because it was formed under Article 138(2) of the Interim Constitution that allows for formation of a majority government. Party Secretary Shankar Pokharel informed that many of those airing their views criticized the party leaders for not insisting on the party´s stance-- that is, forming a consensus government from scratch under Article 138(1). They were for Bhattarai stepping down first and then forming a consensus government. Another CC member, Ghanshyam Bhusal, ruled out any possibility of the UML joining the government because the party had officially protested against the four-point pact which was the basis of the Bhattarai-led government. "The proposed consensus government under Bhattarai´s leadership is only a continuation of that Maoist-Madhesi parties coalition. So there is no possibility of our party´s ongoing Central Committee meeting endorsing the proposal to join the government," Bhusal told Republica. However, according to participants present at the meeting, Mishra and Neupane argued that it would be a blunder on the part of the third-largest party, UML, to turn its back on the historic responsibility of playing a crucial role in constitution writing. "The five-point agreement is an outcome of the special political circumstances of the country and is the reality," a leader quoted Mishra as saying at the meeting. "We should play a leading and crucial role in constitution writing and institutionalizing the achievements rather than turn our backs on a historic responsibility." He argued at the meeting that the UML will lose credibility with the public if it shirks its role over major political issues on an excuse of technical issues. Mishra also argued that there was no point saying the proposed coalition will give continuity to the four-point pact reached with the Madhesi parties because the five-point deal reached Thursday midnight had superceded that earlier pact. Also, some members at the meeting expressed serious concern over reports that Indian ambassador to Nepal Jayant Prasad was present at the meeting of top leaders including Prime Minister Bhattarai, UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Nepali Congress General Secretary Krishna Situala and other key negotiators involved in signing the deal. Rumors were making the rounds that the same meeting at Dahal´s residence Wednesday afternoon played a crucial role in giving continuity to the Bhattarai-led government for some more weeks. "Many members argued seriously that diplomatic missions must remain within their limits and at the same time our leaders also must take diplomatic norms into considerations while dealing with foreigners," said a participant. Another leader informed that some of the members suggested to the UML leaders not to join the Bhattarai-led government because foreigners were unnecessarily active in salvaging the beleaguered Bhattarai government´s image and giving it continuity. NEW CABINET LIKELY TO MAVE TWO DOZEN MEMBERS Kathmandu, 5 May: A day after the five-point agreement was struck among major parties for the formation of national consensus government, leaders have stepped up negotiations to form a cabinet likely to have over two dozen ministers, Kish Raj Koirala reports in Republica. Parties are mulling to allocate at least four ministerial portfolios to each major parties in the new cabinet led by Baburam Bhattarai. "There had been an agreement to form a small cabinet. But since there are many constituent parties in the United Democratic Madhesi Front, they have asked us to reconsider the number of portfolios," Nepali Congress (NC) Vice President Ram Chandra Paudel told Republica. Arguing that the demand of the UDMF was ´justified´, Paudel, who is also parliamentary party leader of NC, said they were scheduled to hold further discussions on Saturday to settle the number. "Though we have not yet fixed size of cabinet, it is certainly likely to be bigger than what we had originally planned," he further said. Earlier, the parties had announced their intention to a small size cabinet of not more than 15 members. Leaders involved in the negotiations after the five-point deal said discussions were currently underway to form a 27-member cabinet. Sources said the parties planned to swear in at least two ministers each from the UCPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress and CPN-UML by Saturday evening. As they were yet to work out detail on power sharing, the UCPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress and CPN-UML by Saturday evening. As they were yet to work out detail on power sharing, the parties were planning to induct remaining ministers "in their share" in due course of time. A meeting of top leaders of three major political parties - Maoist, Nepali Congress and the UML-and United Democratic Madhesi Front held at the official residence of the prime minister at Baluwatar Friday evening reached an understanding to induct ministers in the cabinet by Saturday evening after the NC and UML said they were yet to hold internal discussions on nominations. "Our party is yet to hold discussions on who to send to the cabinet. The issue will be settled by tomorrow [Saturday] evening," Krishna Prasad Sitaula of NC said A meeting of top leaders of three major political parties - Maoist, Nepali Congress and the UML-and United Democratic Madhesi Front held at the official residence of the prime minister at Baluwatar Friday evening reached an understanding to induct ministers in the cabinet by Saturday evening after the NC and UML said they were yet to hold internal discussions on nominations. "Our party is yet to hold discussions on who to send to the cabinet. The issue will be settled by tomorrow [Saturday] evening," Krishna Prasad Sitaula of NC said n the five-point agreement reached late Thursday night, the parties agreed to form a national consensus government under Bhattarai by Saturday. All the ministers in the Bhattarai-led cabinet had announced their resignation with immediate effect as per the five-point deal, Thursday. .CPN-UML senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal said his party was still discussing on its options. "Our central committee meeting will continue tomorrow [Saturday]. We will disclose the party´s official stance whether to join the government through CC meeting," he said. Though Nepal claimed that the meeting did not hold much discussion on size and the sharing of ministerial portfolios among parties in the new cabinet, sources said the parties were at odds over power sharing as some parties are staking claims on key ministries. While Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar has insisted that he would retain home ministry even in the new cabinet and Raj Kishor Yadav of Madhesi People´s Rights Forum-Republica has also maintained that he would not relinquish Ministry of Information and Communications (MoICs). Likewise the Maoists have already staked claim over foreign and energy ministries. Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, NC President Sushil Koirala, Vice President Ram Chandra Paudel, Senior leader Sher Bahadur Deuba, General Secretary Krishna Sitaula from the NC, Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar of Madhesi People´s Rights Forum-Democratic and Mahantha Thakur of Tarai Madhes Democratic Party,were among those present in the meeting. The leaders also decided to call meetings of dispute resolution sub-committee and constitutional committee to settle various contentious issues of new constitution, according Sitaula. Meanwhile, NC office bearers gathered at the residence of party president Sushil Koirala in Maharajgunj for internal discussions shortly after the meeting at Baluwatar. The meeting attended by Vice President Paudel, General Secretaries Prakash Man Singh and Sitaula and some influential leaders is learnt to have discussed party´s leadership in the cabinet and on settling row that exist with Sher Bahadur Deuba faction in the party. nnnn ________________________________________ ________________________________________ Related News Midnight deal Ministers resign en masse at midnight Strike, demos part of Madhesi alliance pressure tactics A new beginning? Parties still at loggerheads over state restructuring More on Political Affairs Majority press party to shun Bhattarai-led govt Settle intra-party disputes before party joins govt: Deuba Baidya faction opposes 5-pt deal Shrestha, Bogati to continue as ministers in new cabinet Prez lauds 5-pt agreement Ministers resign en masse at midnight No consensus govt under Article 38 (2): UML Protestors burn effigies of 22 lawmakers Govt declares Janakpur blast victims martyrs Prime Minister to dissolve cab Majority press party to shun Bhattarai-led govt Kathmandu, 5 May A day after top leaders from major political parties inked a deal agreeing to form a national unity government under the leadership of Baburam Bhattarai, most of those airing their views at a Central Committee (CC) meeting of the CPN-UML criticized UML leaders for agreeing to join the Bhattarai-led government and pressed the party leadership not to join, Republica reports. Some 25 CC members aired their views at the meeting but only three of them -- Mukunda Neupane, Bangshidhar Mishra and Netra Panthi -- saw no harm in joining the Bhattarai-headed coalition. The rest criticized the leaders fiercely. Most of those who stood against the decision argued that the UML simply cannot join the Bhattarai-led coalition because the party had strongly objected to the four-point pact signed between the UCPN (Maoist) and the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF). Those suggesting the party not join the government include party Vice-chairperson Bidya Bhandari, Ghanshyam Bhusal, Agni Kharel, Bhanubhakta Dhakal, Yogesh Bhattarai and Khagaraj Adhikari. "The UML voted against Baburam Bhattarai´s candidacy in parliament and he was only elected with votes from UDMF lawmakers; so how come we can now join a government led by Bhattarai himself," said UML CC member Yogesh Bhattarai. "That´s why we strongly believe that our party should not join the coalition." They also argued that the present government cannot be a national consensus government because it was formed under Article 138(2) of the Interim Constitution that allows for formation of a majority government. Party Secretary Shankar Pokharel informed that many of those airing their views criticized the party leaders for not insisting on the party´s stance-- that is, forming a consensus government from scratch under Article 138(1). They were for Bhattarai stepping down first and then forming a consensus government. Another CC member, Ghanshyam Bhusal, ruled out any possibility of the UML joining the government because the party had officially protested against the four-point pact which was the basis of the Bhattarai-led government. "The proposed consensus government under Bhattarai´s leadership is only a continuation of that Maoist-Madhesi parties coalition. So there is no possibility of our party´s ongoing Central Committee meeting endorsing the proposal to join the government," Bhusal told Republica. However, according to participants present at the meeting, Mishra and Neupane argued that it would be a blunder on the part of the third-largest party, UML, to turn its back on the historic responsibility of playing a crucial role in constitution writing. "The five-point agreement is an outcome of the special political circumstances of the country and is the reality," a leader quoted Mishra as saying at the meeting. "We should play a leading and crucial role in constitution writing and institutionalizing the achievements rather than turn our backs on a historic responsibility." He argued at the meeting that the UML will lose credibility with the public if it shirks its role over major political issues on an excuse of technical issues. Mishra also argued that there was no point saying the proposed coalition will give continuity to the four-point pact reached with the Madhesi parties because the five-point deal reached Thursday midnight had superceded that earlier pact. Also, some members at the meeting expressed serious concern over reports that Indian ambassador to Nepal Jayant Prasad was present at the meeting of top leaders including Prime Minister Bhattarai, UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Nepali Congress General Secretary Krishna Situala and other key negotiators involved in signing the deal. Rumors were making the rounds that the same meeting at Dahal´s residence Wednesday afternoon played a crucial role in giving continuity to the Bhattarai-led government for some more weeks. "Many members argued seriously that diplomatic missions must remain within their limits and at the same time our leaders also must take diplomatic norms into considerations while dealing with foreigners," said a participant. Another leader informed that some of the members suggested to the UML leaders not to join the Bhattarai-led government because foreigners were unnecessarily active in salvaging the beleaguered Bhattarai government´s image and giving it continuity. NEW CABINET LIKELY TO MAVE TWO DOZEN MEMBERS Kathmandu, 5 May: A day after the five-point agreement was struck among major parties for the formation of national consensus government, leaders have stepped up negotiations to form a cabinet likely to have over two dozen ministers, Kish Raj Koirala reports in Republica. Parties are mulling to allocate at least four ministerial portfolios to each major parties in the new cabinet led by Baburam Bhattarai. "There had been an agreement to form a small cabinet. But since there are many constituent parties in the United Democratic Madhesi Front, they have asked us to reconsider the number of portfolios," Nepali Congress (NC) Vice President Ram Chandra Paudel told Republica. Arguing that the demand of the UDMF was ´justified´, Paudel, who is also parliamentary party leader of NC, said they were scheduled to hold further discussions on Saturday to settle the number. "Though we have not yet fixed size of cabinet, it is certainly likely to be bigger than what we had originally planned," he further said. Earlier, the parties had announced their intention to a small size cabinet of not more than 15 members. Leaders involved in the negotiations after the five-point deal said discussions were currently underway to form a 27-member cabinet. Sources said the parties planned to swear in at least two ministers each from the UCPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress and CPN-UML by Saturday evening. As they were yet to work out detail on power sharing, the UCPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress and CPN-UML by Saturday evening. As they were yet to work out detail on power sharing, the parties were planning to induct remaining ministers "in their share" in due course of time. A meeting of top leaders of three major political parties - Maoist, Nepali Congress and the UML-and United Democratic Madhesi Front held at the official residence of the prime minister at Baluwatar Friday evening reached an understanding to induct ministers in the cabinet by Saturday evening after the NC and UML said they were yet to hold internal discussions on nominations. "Our party is yet to hold discussions on who to send to the cabinet. The issue will be settled by tomorrow [Saturday] evening," Krishna Prasad Sitaula of NC said A meeting of top leaders of three major political parties - Maoist, Nepali Congress and the UML-and United Democratic Madhesi Front held at the official residence of the prime minister at Baluwatar Friday evening reached an understanding to induct ministers in the cabinet by Saturday evening after the NC and UML said they were yet to hold internal discussions on nominations. "Our party is yet to hold discussions on who to send to the cabinet. The issue will be settled by tomorrow [Saturday] evening," Krishna Prasad Sitaula of NC said n the five-point agreement reached late Thursday night, the parties agreed to form a national consensus government under Bhattarai by Saturday. All the ministers in the Bhattarai-led cabinet had announced their resignation with immediate effect as per the five-point deal, Thursday. .CPN-UML senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal said his party was still discussing on its options. "Our central committee meeting will continue tomorrow [Saturday]. We will disclose the party´s official stance whether to join the government through CC meeting," he said. Though Nepal claimed that the meeting did not hold much discussion on size and the sharing of ministerial portfolios among parties in the new cabinet, sources said the parties were at odds over power sharing as some parties are staking claims on key ministries. While Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar has insisted that he would retain home ministry even in the new cabinet and Raj Kishor Yadav of Madhesi People´s Rights Forum-Republica has also maintained that he would not relinquish Ministry of Information and Communications (MoICs). Likewise the Maoists have already staked claim over foreign and energy ministries. Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, NC President Sushil Koirala, Vice President Ram Chandra Paudel, Senior leader Sher Bahadur Deuba, General Secretary Krishna Sitaula from the NC, Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar of Madhesi People´s Rights Forum-Democratic and Mahantha Thakur of Tarai Madhes Democratic Party,were among those present in the meeting. The leaders also decided to call meetings of dispute resolution sub-committee and constitutional committee to settle various contentious issues of new constitution, according Sitaula. Meanwhile, NC office bearers gathered at the residence of party president Sushil Koirala in Maharajgunj for internal discussions shortly after the meeting at Baluwatar. The meeting attended by Vice President Paudel, General Secretaries Prakash Man Singh and Sitaula and some influential leaders is learnt to have discussed party´s leadership in the cabinet and on settling row that exist with Sher Bahadur Deuba faction in the party. nnnn ________________________________________ ________________________________________ Related News Midnight deal Ministers resign en masse at midnight Strike, demos part of Madhesi alliance pressure tactics A new beginning? Parties still at loggerheads over state restructuring More on Political Affairs Majority press party to shun Bhattarai-led govt Settle intra-party disputes before party joins govt: Deuba Baidya faction opposes 5-pt deal Shrestha, Bogati to continue as ministers in new cabinet Prez lauds 5-pt agreement Ministers resign en masse at midnight No consensus govt under Article 38 (2): UML Protestors burn effigies of 22 lawmakers Govt declares Janakpur blast victims martyrs Prime Minister to dissolve cab Majority press party to shun Bhattarai-led govt Kathmandu, 5 May A day after top leaders from major political parties inked a deal agreeing to form a national unity government under the leadership of Baburam Bhattarai, most of those airing their views at a Central Committee (CC) meeting of the CPN-UML criticized UML leaders for agreeing to join the Bhattarai-led government and pressed the party leadership not to join, Republica reports. Some 25 CC members aired their views at the meeting but only three of them -- Mukunda Neupane, Bangshidhar Mishra and Netra Panthi -- saw no harm in joining the Bhattarai-headed coalition. The rest criticized the leaders fiercely. Most of those who stood against the decision argued that the UML simply cannot join the Bhattarai-led coalition because the party had strongly objected to the four-point pact signed between the UCPN (Maoist) and the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF). Those suggesting the party not join the government include party Vice-chairperson Bidya Bhandari, Ghanshyam Bhusal, Agni Kharel, Bhanubhakta Dhakal, Yogesh Bhattarai and Khagaraj Adhikari. "The UML voted against Baburam Bhattarai´s candidacy in parliament and he was only elected with votes from UDMF lawmakers; so how come we can now join a government led by Bhattarai himself," said UML CC member Yogesh Bhattarai. "That´s why we strongly believe that our party should not join the coalition." They also argued that the present government cannot be a national consensus government because it was formed under Article 138(2) of the Interim Constitution that allows for formation of a majority government. Party Secretary Shankar Pokharel informed that many of those airing their views criticized the party leaders for not insisting on the party´s stance-- that is, forming a consensus government from scratch under Article 138(1). They were for Bhattarai stepping down first and then forming a consensus government. Another CC member, Ghanshyam Bhusal, ruled out any possibility of the UML joining the government because the party had officially protested against the four-point pact which was the basis of the Bhattarai-led government. "The proposed consensus government under Bhattarai´s leadership is only a continuation of that Maoist-Madhesi parties coalition. So there is no possibility of our party´s ongoing Central Committee meeting endorsing the proposal to join the government," Bhusal told Republica. However, according to participants present at the meeting, Mishra and Neupane argued that it would be a blunder on the part of the third-largest party, UML, to turn its back on the historic responsibility of playing a crucial role in constitution writing. "The five-point agreement is an outcome of the special political circumstances of the country and is the reality," a leader quoted Mishra as saying at the meeting. "We should play a leading and crucial role in constitution writing and institutionalizing the achievements rather than turn our backs on a historic responsibility." He argued at the meeting that the UML will lose credibility with the public if it shirks its role over major political issues on an excuse of technical issues. Mishra also argued that there was no point saying the proposed coalition will give continuity to the four-point pact reached with the Madhesi parties because the five-point deal reached Thursday midnight had superceded that earlier pact. Also, some members at the meeting expressed serious concern over reports that Indian ambassador to Nepal Jayant Prasad was present at the meeting of top leaders including Prime Minister Bhattarai, UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Nepali Congress General Secretary Krishna Situala and other key negotiators involved in signing the deal. Rumors were making the rounds that the same meeting at Dahal´s residence Wednesday afternoon played a crucial role in giving continuity to the Bhattarai-led government for some more weeks. "Many members argued seriously that diplomatic missions must remain within their limits and at the same time our leaders also must take diplomatic norms into considerations while dealing with foreigners," said a participant. Another leader informed that some of the members suggested to the UML leaders not to join the Bhattarai-led government because foreigners were unnecessarily active in salvaging the beleaguered Bhattarai government´s image and giving it continuity. NEW CABINET LIKELY TO MAVE TWO DOZEN MEMBERS Kathmandu, 5 May: A day after the five-point agreement was struck among major parties for the formation of national consensus government, leaders have stepped up negotiations to form a cabinet likely to have over two dozen ministers, Kish Raj Koirala reports in Republica. Parties are mulling to allocate at least four ministerial portfolios to each major parties in the new cabinet led by Baburam Bhattarai. "There had been an agreement to form a small cabinet. But since there are many constituent parties in the United Democratic Madhesi Front, they have asked us to reconsider the number of portfolios," Nepali Congress (NC) Vice President Ram Chandra Paudel told Republica. Arguing that the demand of the UDMF was ´justified´, Paudel, who is also parliamentary party leader of NC, said they were scheduled to hold further discussions on Saturday to settle the number. "Though we have not yet fixed size of cabinet, it is certainly likely to be bigger than what we had originally planned," he further said. Earlier, the parties had announced their intention to a small size cabinet of not more than 15 members. Leaders involved in the negotiations after the five-point deal said discussions were currently underway to form a 27-member cabinet. Sources said the parties planned to swear in at least two ministers each from the UCPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress and CPN-UML by Saturday evening. As they were yet to work out detail on power sharing, the UCPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress and CPN-UML by Saturday evening. As they were yet to work out detail on power sharing, the parties were planning to induct remaining ministers "in their share" in due course of time. A meeting of top leaders of three major political parties - Maoist, Nepali Congress and the UML-and United Democratic Madhesi Front held at the official residence of the prime minister at Baluwatar Friday evening reached an understanding to induct ministers in the cabinet by Saturday evening after the NC and UML said they were yet to hold internal discussions on nominations. "Our party is yet to hold discussions on who to send to the cabinet. The issue will be settled by tomorrow [Saturday] evening," Krishna Prasad Sitaula of NC said A meeting of top leaders of three major political parties - Maoist, Nepali Congress and the UML-and United Democratic Madhesi Front held at the official residence of the prime minister at Baluwatar Friday evening reached an understanding to induct ministers in the cabinet by Saturday evening after the NC and UML said they were yet to hold internal discussions on nominations. "Our party is yet to hold discussions on who to send to the cabinet. The issue will be settled by tomorrow [Saturday] evening," Krishna Prasad Sitaula of NC said n the five-point agreement reached late Thursday night, the parties agreed to form a national consensus government under Bhattarai by Saturday. All the ministers in the Bhattarai-led cabinet had announced their resignation with immediate effect as per the five-point deal, Thursday. .CPN-UML senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal said his party was still discussing on its options. "Our central committee meeting will continue tomorrow [Saturday]. We will disclose the party´s official stance whether to join the government through CC meeting," he said. Though Nepal claimed that the meeting did not hold much discussion on size and the sharing of ministerial portfolios among parties in the new cabinet, sources said the parties were at odds over power sharing as some parties are staking claims on key ministries. While Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar has insisted that he would retain home ministry even in the new cabinet and Raj Kishor Yadav of Madhesi People´s Rights Forum-Republica has also maintained that he would not relinquish Ministry of Information and Communications (MoICs). Likewise the Maoists have already staked claim over foreign and energy ministries. Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, NC President Sushil Koirala, Vice President Ram Chandra Paudel, Senior leader Sher Bahadur Deuba, General Secretary Krishna Sitaula from the NC, Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar of Madhesi People´s Rights Forum-Democratic and Mahantha Thakur of Tarai Madhes Democratic Party,were among those present in the meeting. The leaders also decided to call meetings of dispute resolution sub-committee and constitutional committee to settle various contentious issues of new constitution, according Sitaula. Meanwhile, NC office bearers gathered at the residence of party president Sushil Koirala in Maharajgunj for internal discussions shortly after the meeting at Baluwatar. The meeting attended by Vice President Paudel, General Secretaries Prakash Man Singh and Sitaula and some influential leaders is learnt to have discussed party´s leadership in the cabinet and on settling row that exist with Sher Bahadur Deuba faction in the party. nnnn ________________________________________ ________________________________________ Related News Midnight deal Ministers resign en masse at midnight Strike, demos part of Madhesi alliance pressure tactics A new beginning? 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