Nepal crisis: Govt formation nears midnight deadline

The unfortunate political dilemma continues in the newfound Himalayan Republic Nepal when it’s still vague who is going to lead the government after the resignation of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, aka Prachanda, over the issue of sacking army chief. The deadline for forming a new government comes to an end midnight Saturday and parties are in their last-ditch effort to reach a consensus.

•   E-mail Article
•   Printer Friendly
•   Text-Size    

Maoists continue to protest against the President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav, who blocked the government’s attempt to sack the Army Chief Rukmangad Katawal. The President had set the deadline Saturday midnight; however, the top political parties have been unable to reach any point.

As it is expected, if no one claims to form the government by midnight then the President may extend the time limit with special call asking the party with majority to garner its support. However, any last minute deal cannot be ruled out.

Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist) CPN (UML) on Friday has expressed its intention to lead the proposed government. The second largest party Nepali Congress (NC) with 114 MPs in its kitty, too, has extended its support to CPN-UML if wants to head the government.

The CPN-UML, which has 109 members of its own, after the support of NC needs another 78 to claim simple majority. However, there are other parties like the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) which are undecided about their stand. A faction of MJF has, however, voiced for an all-party government under the leadership of the Unified CPN (Maoist), the biggest party in the parliament.

On the contrary, some leaders of MJF are making attempt to support a UML-NC alliance with UML on the lead. The internal dispute among MJF leaders has left the party’s central leadership in vacuum on the issue of which party to support while forming the new government. MJF, which was a part of Maoists government, can play a key role in the Parliament with 51 seats.

According to some reports, the UML has also asked the Prachanda-led Maoists to join a new alliance. But the Maoists have been demanding the withdrawal of President’s decision on the army chief. Under such circumstances, Nepal’s political future is no way clear.

The leading four parties in the Parliament: United Communist Party of Nepal (Maoists), Nepali Congress (NC), CPN (UML) and the Madheshi Janadhikar (People's Rights) Forum have to take the final call whether to form a government or to push the nation into another parliamentary election.

[Compiled by Deepak Kumar Mohanty edited by Vikash Ranjan]