NC, UML’s word sought on amending statute

Kathmandu, October 9

The Unified CPN-Maoist today met CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli and top leaders of the Nepali Congress and emphasised the need for three-party unity for the formation of next government so that they could effectively resolve the current challenges.

UCPN-M Vice Chair Narayan Kaji Shrestha said the party also told both the parties the best option would be to form new government as per “the gentleman’s agreement” but if that was not possible, then NC and the UML could forge a new agreement.

The UCPN-M told the two parties that they should be ready to amend the new constitution to address the concerns of the protesting Madhesi and Janajati forces if they wanted UCPN-M’s support to form the new government.

According to a source, when the top UCPN-M leaders went to meet NC President and Prime Minister Sushil Koirala today, he denied having consented to “the gentleman’s agreement”. CPN-UML and UCPN-Maoist leaders have been saying that the three major parties had struck “a gentleman’s agreement” committing to make CPN-UML Chair Oli the new prime minister after promulgation of the new constitution.

Other Cabinet decisions

KATHMANDU: The government has decided to give Rs 2 million for Nepali Congress leader Khum Bahadur Khadka as compensation since his Dang-based home was destroyed by Maoists during the decade-long insurgency. Earlier, the government had sanctioned Rs 1.5 million to him for his kidney transplant treatment.

The government also gave Rs 300,000 as financial assistance to ageing mountaineer Min Bahadur Sherchan, who had scaled the Mt Everest at the age of 76 in 2008.

The government has made pap-smear check up to test the cervical cancer free at all public hospitals and health institutions across the country. Guidelines relating to the compensation for the totally destroyed homes in the recent earthquakes has also been endorsed by the Cabinet. — HNS

UCPN-M’s riders for support

•    NC and UML must agree to amend the constitution to address the concerns of the protesting Madhesi and Janajati forces

•    They should be ready to carve out a separate province from Nawalparasi to Kailali

•    Use of force against peaceful protests should be prohibited

•    UML and NC leaders must be ready to address the grievances of Madhesis, Muslims, Janajatis, Dalits and other marginalised groups, including women

•    NC and UML should stand solidly in favour of national independence

•    Friendly relations with the neighbours should be maintained

•    The new government should chalk out a reconstruction plan to complete the rebuilding and

reconstruction works