KATHMANDU: UCPN Maoist leader Devendra Paudel has claimed that the leaders close to Vice Chairman Baburam Bhattarai will participate in party’s upcoming central committee meeting. Paudel, who is one of the most influential leaders in the Bhattarai faction, said so while speculations are rife of the faction’s intention to boycott the CC meeting accusing party Chairman Puspa Kamal Dahal of foul play in selecting CC members during the recently concluded conclave of the party.

Paudel said that they will participate in the CC meeting claiming that Dahal had promised of taking the party ahead in consensus. Talking at an interaction program organized by the Reporters Club Nepal on Sunday, he informed that Dahal and another vice chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha have agreed to form a 151 member CC during a meeting with him and party leader Top Bahadur Raimajhi.

“We have requested for deferring the CC meet citing delay in the arrival of Vice Chairman Baburam Bhattarai. We will participate in the first meeting after due discussion if it is deferred and will participate in the second meeting, if the first one is not deferred,” said Paudel at the program presided by the Club’s President Rishi Dhamala.

Claiming that they had not boycotted the Biratnagar conclave to split the party he said that the party can move ahead in consensus if Chairman Dahal moves ahead in consensus giving up factionalism.

However Paudel warned that they would not sit tight if their demands, presented to the Chairman, are not addressed.
Commenting on the progress made in constitution drafting, Paudel accused the government of being incapable of initiating efforts to garner consensus on the constitution drafting process along with general day to day administration.

KATHMANDU: Despite the political parties’ agreement to form an election government under the leadership of the sitting Chief Justice, Nepal’s Maoist Prime Minister is not in a mood to resign soon as speculated by the political pundits and opposition parties.

A source said that during his secret meetings held yesterday and today with UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, Prime Minister Dr Bhattarai cautioned Dahal not to forge consensus with the Nepali Congress and CPN (UML) on their tune.

The PM is on the stance not to quit the post prior to completion of the ongoing peace process and formation of truth and reconciliation commission (TRC).

The major political parties are at odds regarding the post given to the former Maoist fighters who have now integrated into the Nepal Army. Recently, the Prime Minister had also visited a military academy where the former comrades were in the closed army training.

Earlier, Prime Minister Dr Bhattarai had also reiterated the same position in the four-party meeting saying that he would not resign until the parties agree on the thorniest issues of the army integration and truth and reconciliation commission.

KATHMANDU: Being certain to be replaced by sitting Chief Justice, Nepal’s Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai is preparing to address the nation today after the top leadership sign a deal formally.

Prime Minister’s political advisor Devendra Poudel said the PM’s address would incorporate the major issues of the political agreement.

Likewise, the PM is also expected to highlight his major achievements, army integration and some economic steps, during his stay in office.

KATHMANDU: Nepal’s Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai, who is serving his last week as the head of executive, today said that political parties are inching closer for a package deal. The prime minister also said that the government’s support lies to the ongoing political dialogue and talks.

Major four political forces in the country have agreed on  the Chief Justice-led election government and a political taskforce is carrying out its works to iron out nitty-gritty.

Addressing a program organized to mark the Democracy in the capital, Dr Bhattarai said the political parties should go for economic development to take the country to the track of prosperity.

The Prime Minister also said that all parties are required to abide by the politics of consensus and coordination to end the transition as early as possible and draft a forward-looking constitution.

“New consensus was required for this by institutionalizing the achievements obtained so far since the movement of 2007 B.S,” he added.

Deputy Prime Minister Bijay Kumar Gachhadar, other ministers and top level government officials, among others were present at the program.

President Ram Baran Yadav has extended best wishes to all Nepali brother and sisters in the country and abroad on the occasion of the 63rd National Democracy Day-2069 Monday.

In a message today, President Yadav said although the 2007 revolution ended autocratic Ranarchy and brought forth social and physical changes in the country, the major national expectation of democratic system and values were yet to be realized.

Expressing disappointment over the demise of the Constituent Assembly without delivering constitution that Nepalis aspired much after the second jana andolan, President Yadav said the end of present political and constitutional deadlock has been the pressing need.

In the message, he said becoming honest, dutiful and hopeful to reach the destination despite failures is real characteristics of a true democrat. In order to materialize the democratic commitments and dreams, the election to the CA on national consensus was only option we have at present.

On the occasion, the President said he hoped that all Nepalis would be able to strengthen the national integrity, unity and sovereignty and establish peace and order through cooperation, consensus and mutual trust.

In a similar message, Vice-President Parmananda Jha said the Democracy Day is unforgettable in Nepal’s history in making the autocratic anarchy cower before the people’s rights.

Adherence to democratic values was the only tool to achieve progress, prosperity and stability, he stressed.

Moreover, Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai, expressed best wishes to all Nepali brother and sisters in the country and abroad on the occasion of Democracy Day.

He urged all Nepalis for solidarity and cooperation to institutionalize democracy in Nepal.

PM Bhattarai also expressed tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in different movements for progressive change.

He also pointed out the need of the consensus and cooperation for durable peace in the country. RSS

CHITWAN: Giving a new twist to the political deadlock, the political parties have agreed to hold a fresh election to the CA on May 29 this year by forming the Chief Justice-led government, multiple sources claimed.

Nepal’s Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai, who has arrived in Chitwan today, also confirmed this saying that the parties reached this conclusion after they rejected each other’s leadership.

But, some technical issues are yet to be resolved over this issue, the PM told reporters at a press conference organized by the Revolutionary Journalists’ Association, Chitwan, in Bharatpur Airport.

“We are in favor of a package deal. Constitution should be amended to form the CJ-led government as the Interim Constitution has not stated this provision. We need constitution amendment in at least 10/15 points,” the PM said.

The PM is attending the golden jubilee celebration of Bal Kumari Higher Secondary School in Bharatpur today.

Earlier today, top leaders of major political parties have agreed to form the much hyped consensus government under the leadership of an apolitical figure, most probably the sitting Chief Justice.

A meeting of the major political parties in the capital took such a decision with an understanding to hold CA polls on May 28 under the leadership of such an apolitical leadership.

KATHMANDU: Nepal’s Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai today attended before the Supreme Court and furnished his clarification regarding to government’s interference in free and fair investigation in murder of Dailekh-based journalist Dekendra Raj Thapa.

In his written clarification, the Prime Minister has said that as an executive chief of the country he has not given order to anyone by overriding the existing laws. He also said false allegations were made against him by those lodging the case at the supreme court.

A single bench of justice Sushila Karki on January 18 had summoned Prime Minister within seven days on the charge contempt of the court after the Prime Minister directed the officials to halt the statements of scribe Thapa’s murder accused.

Earlier on Sunday, attorney general Mukti Narayan Pradhan had reached the SC and submitted a clarification note on the same issue.

The UCPN (Maoist) leaders including the incumbent prime minister, and the government officials have been stating that the warera cases should be dealt with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), not by the existing criminal justice system.

GORKHA: The top leaders of the ruling UCPN (Maoist) have arrived in Gorkha district today to address the fourth district convention of the party.

Prime Minister and Maoist Vice-chairman Dr Baburam Bhattarai and Deputy Prime Minister and UCPN (Maoist) Vice-chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha have also arrived in their hometown with the party supremo Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda to address the district convention.

Top leaders of the UCPN (Maoist) have arrived here for the first time after the party split. However, district level leaders of the UCPN (Maoist) said that there was no effect of party split in the district.

The YAN sent the documents to the prime minister alleging the prime minister of violating rule of law by protecting criminals.

A team led by YAN’s Movement Mobilization Committee Coordinator Hira KC submitted the documents.

KC said that the YAN’s movement for peace, constitution, democracy, nationality and prosperity began from today and the documents were sent symbolically to the prime minister considering that the document would be useful to the prime minister.