THT 10 Years Ago: PM Koirala steps aside

Kathmandu, June 26, 2008

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala today announced his resignation at the legislative session of the Constituent Assembly, and called for consensus and unity among parties till a new constitution comes into effect. “Let’s never forget the path of consensus and unity. Consensus and unity are our strengths.

Consensus is necessary even if its without GP Koirala,” the PM said, announcing his resignation following pressure from the CPN-Maoist and the CPNUML. He will formally tender his resignation to the new president. After the PM’s announcement, Maoist chairman Prachanda said, “His resignation has paved the way for the formation of a new government”.

He said it was the consensus politics among the parties that helped hold the Constituent Assembly election in a peaceful manner, and led the king to abdicate and leave the palace without any bloodshed.

“I hoisted the national flag at the Naraynhiti Palace on June 15, praying that the national flag shows us the path of national unity,” the PM said before his written speech was read out by peace minister Ram Chandra Poudel.

Without directly referring to the recent political tug-of-war among the three major parties over the issue of power-sharing in the postelection government, Koirala said the parties “were lost in wilderness, confused and derailed from the path of consensus and unity”.

Donations pour in for courageous Kamal

Pokhara/Kathmandu, June 26, 2008

Kamal Nepali has become a celerbrity of sorts after he rescued two-year-old AradhanaPradhan of Nayagaun, Pokhara, from a Seti river gorge yesterday. Television channels and media have been virtually running after him after he performed the brave act. “We are grateful to god for enabling him to save a precious life.

Our joy knows no bounds,” his parents Nil Bahadur and Man Kumari of Pokhara-15, Nayagaun, said. Salam Nepali, the elder brother of Kamal, said, “Kamal agreed to go into the 60-feet gorge after a request from rescue teams.” According to Salam, Kamal was told that his moves would be watched on CCTV.

“Tell us if you feel uncomfortable,” Salam quoted the rescue team as telling Kamal. After a brief stay at home, the wonderboy, accompanied by his father, Nil Bahadur, headed to Kathmandu on a request of a TV channel. Saying that he was happy to be flying for the first time, he told mediapersons at the Pokhara airport, “I am grateful for the love and affection showered on me. I will obey my parents and focus on my studies.”

Meanwhile, in Kathmandu donations are flowing in for Kamal and have exceeded one lakh rupees. When asked if he would have permitted his son to go inside a 60-feet deep gorge? “I don’t know.

There was a risk involved. But he came out safe and that is all which matters,” said Kamal’s father Nil Bahadur.