FORMER KING, QUEEN RETURN TO CAPITAL Kathmandu, 24 Feb.: Former King Gyanendra and Queen Komal have returned to the capital from Simara. The former royal couple returned after spending a month in Simara as their only son former Crown Prince struggles with life at a Bangkok hospital following a heart attack Tuesday. Most family members are in the Thai capital to be with Paras. Nnnn CHANCF OF CJ-LED GOVT. SLIM Kathmandu, 24 Feb.: Leader of Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (Democratic), a ruling coalition partner, Ranjanam Chaudhary, has said that there was slim chance of formation of an election government under the leadership of the Chief Justice (CJ), RSS reports.. Talking to Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS), leader Chaudhary stressed on the need of going for an alternative to a political leadership as there intra-party dispute in rife in most of the big parties while most of the fringe parties are against the formation of a CJ-led government. And furthermore, the CJ himself is in a dilemma of whether or not to lead an election government, he added. Stating that there was no possibility of new elections to the Constituent Assembly (CA) by mid-June and less likely in coming November too, he said political environment was important for an environment conducive to elections. Chaudhary said that his party is in a dilemma about the formation of a CJ-led election government as it has been of the view since the beginning that it would be against the principle of separation of powers. Nnnn RULING UDMG OPPOSES UPRETI’S REAPPOINTMENT AS EC CHIEF Kathmandu, 24 Feb.: United Democratic Madhesi Front is likely to oppose Nilkantha Upreti’s reappointment as Chief Election Commissioner, The Himalayan Times reports.. A source privy to negotiations between the four major political forces said front leaders have objected to Upreti as EC chief. If the UML formally lobbies for Upreti, UDMF might support former election commissioner Dolakh Bahadur Gurung, who is said to be close to Nepali Congress. UDMF leaders believe Gurung’s ethnic background could earn him support from the UCPN-M as well. Sources said UDMF has rated Upreti negatively for his bid to implement the biometric voter identity card, which they believe will disenfranchise Madhesi voters. Upreti, however, rubbished the idea that implementation of the voter identity card was aimed against the Madhesi people. “I come from Madhes, how can I oppose Madhesi voters?” he asked. He said biometric identity system was implemented to modernise the country’s election system, which could protect the interests of genuine voters, on the one hand, and enable people to use their identity card as a national identity card, on the other. “If citizens have not yet acquired citizenship certificates, they should have the opportunity get them,” Upreti added. He said biometric voting card system was a serious issue. Asked if he would accept the offer if all parties agreed on his name, Upreti said he had observed the election process for 22 years, both in Nepal and abroad, and if the country felt his need, he would happily accept it. Nnnn