UML feels ignored‚ hesitates to join unity govt

THT ONLINE

KATHMANDU: The CPN-UML on Sunday decided not to join the Baburam Bhattarai-led unity government for the time being, concluding that the party was ignored while sharing the ministerial portfolios and restructuring the ministries going against the Thursday's five-point agreement forged .

In the evening, the party's central secretariat issued a statement saying that the Central Committee meeting held today objected to the arbitrary change of structure of certain ministries and the sharing of ministerial portfolios by going against the spirit of the five-point agreement. The meeting further decided to seriously discuss the matter with the stakeholders.

The party's Standing Committee meeting was held at its central office in Balkhu this afternoon after a brief sitting of the Central Committee.

After the UML witnessed a division regarding the purported participation in the Maoist-led government, Prime Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai extended the Cabinet yesterday evening by incorporating nominees from his party UCPN-Maoist, Nepali Congress and United Democratic Madhesi Forum.

“Making the constitution from the Constituent Assemly is the most imporatant matter at present. Thus, this meeting decides to take inititaives to focus on the prime issues of the constitution-drafting, building up agreement and promulgate the constituion by May 27,” the party said, urging the political parties in the Constituent Assembly to feel the responsibility and take part in the talks.

The major political forces including the CPN-UML had struck a five-point deal on Thursday to form the unity government by yesterday.