THT 10 YEARS AGO: Sharp differences delay Cabinet formation
THT 10 YEARS AGO: âSharp differencesâ delay Cabinet formation
Published: 08:21 am May 02, 2016
Kathmandu, May 1, 2006 The meeting of the seven-party allianceâs top leaders, held today at Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koiralaâs residence, ended inconclusively due to âsharp differencesâ over allocation of ministerial portfolios. The meeting, however, agreed in principle that the strength of the cabinet would not exceed 21. It has been almost a week since the alliance unanimously picked Koirala prime minister but ministry formation has been delayed due to differences among the major partners. Alliance sources said the meeting saw differences after the Nepali Congress said it would like to keep the portfolios of deputy prime minister and Home Affairs, two portfolios the UML had already claimed besides other important portfolios , and the major alliance partners did not agree to that. âIf our presence is necessary, ministerial portfolios must be distributed to us according to our strength in parliament, popularity and our contribution to the movement,â said a UML central committee member. He added âWe have told them (NC) to form their own government if they refuse to give us the Dy PM and Home portfolios.â Shortly after the meeting, the UML standing committee held a meeting. Standing committee member Amrit Kumar Bohara told this daily that the âParliament was reinstated on the strength of the peopleâs movement and the government should also be formed according to its spiritâ. CJ waiting for formal impeachment process Kathmandu, May 1, 2006 At a time when politicians and professionals are demanding that the reinstated House of Representatives impeach officials of several Constitutional bodies for having acted against the Constitution during the Kingâs regime, Chief Justice Dilip Kumar Paudel told his close aides that he was awaiting formal proceedings in the House. âThe Chief Justice may think of resigning if the Parliamentarians initiated a formal process against him,â an SC judge told this daily today. He added that the CJ is consulting his close aides on the issue. âHe may think of resigning if the parliamentarians made a move to impeach himâ he said. According to him, the Chief Justice has been consulting his friends on how to react if the House initiated an impeachment process. However, the personal secretary of the CJ, Shreekrishna Bhattarai, said he has no idea on what the CJ would do if the House initiated action against him. The seven-party-alliance has said the government will scrap all decisions and appointments made under Article 127 and that if needed the House will initiate impeachment proceedings against some persons. âIf he (the CJ) does not step down within a few days we will formally act,â said a member of parliament.