Kathmandu, January 16, 2007

Top leaders of the four main political parties will meet tomorrow to discuss and evolve a common stance on the formation of the interim cabinet and who should be the speaker in the interim legislature. The top leaders, including Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, CPN-UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal, Maoist supremo Prachanda and NC (D) President Sher Bahadur Deuba did not meet today “due to lack of necessary groundwork”. But trouble shooters from respective parties held talks to evolve a consensus on “who should be given what in the interim administration as part of the package deal. The post of Deputy Prime Minister is also part of the package. Maoists are vying for the second most important position.” While the CPN-UML is adamant on having Subas Nembang continue as Speaker, it will depend on how far the Maoists are keen to have their man for the post. Maoist leader in the interim legislature Krishan Bahadur Mahara declined to clarify the party’s stand on the issue, while four-party sources said the Maoist leadership was negotiating for Number Two position in the government by presenting Dev Gurung as nominee for Speaker’s post. “Given our strength, we are entitled to lay claim for the Speaker’s post,” Mahara said, ruling out any comment on whether the CPNM was also vying for the post of Deputy PM.

CMP to guide interim govt

Kathmandu, January 16, 2007

The parties in the interim legislature will prepare a common minimum programme (CMP) for conducting the day to day affairs of the legislature and run the interim government. “We will prepare a CMP and will move ahead on the basis of consensus on all issues, including interim government, deputy prime minister and speaker,” CPN-UML leader and member of the interim legislature Jhalanath Khanal told an interaction at Reporters’ Club today. Khanal said a code of conduct would be formulated to ensure that all parties stuck to it to avoid any hassles or misunderstanding towards conducting constituent assembly polls. He added that the formation of interim legislature indicated that Nepal was heading towards a republican set-up. He claimed that the new leadership would represent the party in the interim legislature, as “the current team had proved ineffective”. “Decision on KP Oli would be taken tomorrow,” he said. Nepali Congress leader Arjun Narsingh KC said, “The main focus should be on consolidating loktantra.” He added that the government had to maintain law and order to ensure free and fair constituent assembly elections. KC also came down heavily on his party leadership for following undemocratic practices. KC accused party president Girija Prasad Koirala of sending members of his coterie to the interim legislature.