UML CHIEF KHANAL SAYS PM’S RESIGNATION FIRST CONDITION FOR CONSENSUS Kathmandu, 11 Aug: CPN (UML) Chairman Jhalanath Khanal has said Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai should resign from his post to take the political parties back to unity and understanding from polarization, RSS reports. Addressing the second representative meeting of the CPN (UML) Narayani zonal liaison committee here on Saturday, he said the resignation from the Prime Minister is the first condition for creating a basis for consensus. Stating that the country would be a ´failure state´ in the absence of consensus, UML Chairman Khanal urged the government to be serious towards creating an atmosphere for consensus. He further claimed that his party is able to protect the achievements of the people´s movement. Accusing the UCPN (Maoist) and the Madhes-centric parties of pushing the country to serious constitutional crisis, former Prime Minister Khanal stressed the need of the political consensus to take the country on right track. On the occasion, Makwanpur–based journalist Ram Kumar Alan was honoured with a cash prize of Rs. 5,000 and letter of appreciation for his long contribution to the field of journalism. CPN (UML) alternative politburo member Nagendra Chaudhary, Committee Chairman Namraj Timilsina and Vice Chairman Ujjwal Adhikari underlined the need of party´s active role in drafting the pro-people constitution. nnnn ________________________________________ FLOOD WATERS INUNDATE BENI Kathmandu, 11 Aug.: Houses in Campus Chowk in Beni, the district headquarters of Myagdi, have been inundated after flood entered there, RSS reports from Myagdi.. Flood entered the locality Friday night from the Anprukh section of the Beni-Pakhapani road inundating 25 houses and roads have got muddy. Other fifty houses have also been affected and people of the Campus Chowk spent sleepless nights. The flood was caused because earth was stock piled affecting the settlement, said a local Tara Prasad Shrestha. Movements of vehicles as well as business have been affected after the flood, said Myagdi Chambers President Thakur Prasad Sharma. No loss has been ascertained yet, said police. nnnn