OPPOSITION LEADERS TELL PRESIDENT PM HAS NO AUTHORITY TO CALL ELECTION Kathmandu, 28 May: NC, UML,MJFN and several leaders of small parties met and told President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav, shortly after Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai recommended elections 22 November for CA, the government chief had no political and constitutional right to call election. “We briefed the president on the situation. He said he will play his role after consultations, UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal said. The president told leaders he’ll hold constitutional, legal and political discussions following the request. Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai said the president has no option but to abide by the government decision of which he was informed Sunday night. “Maoists have demonstrated their character and dissolved CA in their strategic plan to capture power,” said BC Vice-chairman Ram Chandra Paudel. ”Maoists at the end dissolved CA. by repeatedly overturning agreements between parties and shoving aside work to draft a constitution,: he added, ’A drama gor election has been staged in a highly controversial manner.” .He added.: Constitution amendment was needed before amending the constitution. Maoists even didn’t want this. There’s no provision for fresh elections sin an an interim constitution.” But Premier Bhattarai said supreme court suggested election as one outlet if a constitution wasn’t promulgated by 27 May. Khanal, Chairman of UML that walked out of government midnight 27 May, said a prime minister elected by legislature/parliament that no longer exists cannot remain in office. “When there is no legislature/parliament, a prime minister elected by that body can’t continue in office. This government has lost its constitutional status. This is a serious crime against the country and democracy,” Khanal said. nnnn.