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The Nepal Digest Tuesday 6 Dec 94: Mangshir 20 2051 BkSm Volume 34 Issue 5
Election FLASH !
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************************************************************************
Date: Wed, 30 Nov 1994 11:01:37 -0500
To: nepal@cs.niu.edu
Subject: vegetarianism in Neal
From: kathy@homenext.mc.duke.edu (Kathleen Bain)
In article <3aqtmmINNas1@bigbird.cc.williams.edu> 96ljs@williams.edu
(laura jeanne) writes:
>
> I will be traveling to Nepal in January for a research project related
> to my studies. Since the logistics of the trip aren't firmly settled
> (nor will they be, most likely, even when I leave), I'm not sure where
> or how I will be eating. I would like to experience Nepali cuisine
> but I'm a very strict vegetarian and am a little nervous about any
> food not prepared by myself. Will I have a problem finding food
> without animal products? I don't eat any meat, not even poultry, fish
> or eggs.
>
>
I just returned from 5 weeks in Nepal, am also vegan, and can reassure you
that you will have few problems staying within your preferred diet. The
staples of the Nepalese diet are dahl, bhaat and tarkari (lentils, rice
and vegetables, usually greens or squash, depending on the season), and
fruit sold along the roads or at market. I lived with the families of
Nepalese friends, totally immersed in the culture including the meals, and
was very pleased with how my vegan diet aligned with their natural way of
eating. A couple of good phrases to remember: Ma saakaahaari hun ("I am
vegetarian"), and Ma dugdhashaalaako khaanaa khaandina ("I don't eat dairy
products.") Be prepared for people to ask you why, out of genuine
curiosity. A simple answer such as "I love animals" or "for spiritual
purity" satisfied. Most will respect such a diet as a religious ideal, at
least in the largely Hindu southeast where I spent most of my time. The
only times I had to assert my preferences were when I was offered yogurt
during the morning meal, and when accepting tea ("calo thia" means black
tea--most Nepalese drink their tea with milk and sugar).
If you can eat in private homes instead of restaurants, you will run less
risk of digestive ills. Especially avoid the roti (fried doughnut-like
breads) and any food not still hot from cooking. I reminded myself of
this after two spoonfuls of cold tomato chutney still made their presence
felt a full day later. Good luck in your experiences.
****************************************************************
From: Prema Oza <ar490@freenet.carleton.ca>
Subject: TND-oct.20,1994
To: nepal@cs.niu.edu
Date: Wed, 30 Nov 1994 12:54:11 -0500 (EST)
I take strong objection to the thoughts raised by atuladhar. I finds his
comments and his sexual blindness offensive and an affront to the many gay
and lesbian people that I admire, respect and love. Is he completely
oblivious to the fact that many great people of our time were not
straight-identified? I'd clearly like to know what Nepal or India he
_hails_ from!
"homosexuality is a capitalist disease unique to the West."
WRONG! Homosexuality or lesbianism is not a DISEASE, it is a way of life
that should be embraced. The DISease is in your homophobic and
conservative mind!
The point raised by Atuladhar of having to immediately apoligize once you
have _accidently_ brushed up against a man for fear of being labelled a
homosexual is merely a kneejerk (for lack of a better word) reaction for
Atuladhar and the many other homophobes like him to assert their
masculinity. The thought makes me nauseous. It is precisely this type of
machismo that inhibits many Nepalese and Indian men and women who I admire
less assured of _coming out_ to anyne let alone their families who should
be there to love and support them.
Atuladhar says that he is often asked by US women whether Nepalese men are
gay because of thier physical closeness to one another. I, too, have been
asked this, but, to say that is ONLY horsing around by two hets is
outrageous when you consider that you are diminishing the other beautiful
relationships that are being fostered.
This is merely creating a poisonous mindset that is transcending to our
children also and corresponds to my father who is angered by my
associating with gays and lesbians for fear of catching the _lesbian_
disease! I assure you he is not strictly referring to AIDS, either,
unfortunately.
The stats in India and the West show that the majority of people with AIDS
related illnesses are straight people. What does that tell you? And don't
anyone say that this does not affect you. If you were to look at the
Matrimonials in the _Times of India_, HIV is, sadly, referred to as an
asset as an additional status symbol, no joke!
Atuladhar says that there are no such things as _homo-marriages_ is an
outright lie. Once again, we have an individual on the net who claims to
be a know-it-all.
They DO exist! Sorry to burst your bubble as do LESBIANS another point
unrecognized or perhaps unfathomable to Atuladhar.
And finally to TND, how could you allow such hurtful posts on the Digests
I am, quite frankly, disappointed.
**********************************************************************
Date: Wed, 30 Nov 1994 15:00:17 -0500
To: nepal@cs.niu.edu
From: SPOKHARE@SYSTEMS.watstar.uwaterloo.ca
Subject: Whatever happens
I believe in better late than never.
After the agitation in 1990, what we wanted is a stable government with
enough responsiveness to the Nepalese masses. We have had two general
elections already. The congress called this election in the name of
stability of the government. I wish that lot of negotiations be made on the
terms of stability of the government. Even if Communists sits on the power,
let congress not think that by going "CHAKKA JAAM" and "STRIKE" they would
be able to solve the current economic hardship of the people. Let
congressis do not forget whatever they said during those JAAM and STRIKES
called by communists. The other scenario is even if congress sits on the
power, let communists not think that they can reinvent the wheel by
striking and paralyzing the country's economy. It is people's rule and not
the rule of the people who have been selected to represent them. People
elected representative before also (during panchayat) but nothing happened
that time. Let the representatives not forget that. Let vandalization be
diminished. Let all the parties work together to avoid another general
election for at least four years. Let whoever sits on the government be
thankful to the Opposition which allowed them to sit on the power and let
the opposition fully cooperate with the government not in terms of
sacrificing their motto but in terms of getting real things done.
Let all of us wish a very very stable government in Nepal in the future.
Thanks
Shaligram.
*************************************************************
Date: Wed, 30 Nov 1994 15:04:12 -0500
From: rshresth@black.clarku.edu (RaJesh B. Shrestha)
To: nepal@cs.niu.edu
Subject: End of Koirala stuff from my dictionary (brain?)
After-all, The Girija (the means outgoing PM Girija) has put the country
into confusion and Nepali Congress too. He can not be PM at least till
next election (when ? is uncertain: 1 month or year). If the style of
Nepali Politics has chnaged why not I change my self and forg(et)(ive) him
from my side. I am not sure how he will be cited in the histroy of Nepal
after 100s of years. He should be appreciated in that sense that he is
leaving his power peacefully without trying to foul-up the country using
military or repeating 2017 . Hope the next PM will also transfer the power
like Girija babu. Now, the country (looks ) going to communst's hand
who from the first day of GP-K's PM nomination staged negative approach
which leaded The Girija to follow his own style of suppressing "Birodhi"
inside and outside NC. Now, in UML-CP's (if they get power) rulin Period,
I would
prefer NC as well as Girija babu not to follow what UML-CP followed for
last 3+ years rather support them to run the country in a meaning full
manner because NC as a truly democracy based party must not believe on
distruction. They should learn from mistake . UML-CP cann't push
the country to communism because they have not secured 103 to pass
any bill themself, only their will cann't help, like Chitra Tiwari ji
wrote they have to follow what other party's, even a candidate for PM.
So, lets think positively that NC will restore its stamina in Nepali
political arena. They should promote new generation rather than confining
into these 4+ old congressies and also should be open to any nepali
irrespective of relations, caste or religion or region. We are just
one i.e. Nepali!!!!!!!
Namaste!
Gyaneswor
*******************************************************************
To: nepal@cs.niu.edu
Date: Wed, 30 Nov 1994 21:36:24 -0500 (EST)
Being a Xavierian myself I couldn't help responding to a queiry
posted on the TND recently. The history of the school speaks for itself,
and maybe I need not say any further. Is the reader aware of the fact
that in spite of the "allegations" St. Xavier's school still tops the
list of best schools in the Kingdom? There are very few schools that
might be considered to form the "Ivy league" in the Kingdom, and
along with the St. Xavier's and St. Mary's, BKS is one of them, though no
"league" has been made official. So I do not see why the existence of St.
Xavier's would be in issue worth debating on.
signing off:-) sawid
Diwas Khati
******************************************************************
Date: Thu, 1 Dec 1994 05:59:00 -0500 (EST)
From: Rakesh Karmacharya <karmacha@aecom.yu.edu>
Subject: For your listening pleasure...
To: NEPAL@cs.niu.edu
The following CD is available from Tower Records:
NEPAL: Musique de fete chez les Newar
(Festival Music of the Newar)
The CD is produced by the Archives Internationales de Musique Populaire
(AIMP) under the VDE-Gallo logo (VDE-553). It includes recordings made in
1952 by Marguerite Lobsiger-Dellenbach and in 1973 by Laurent Aubert. The
itmes in the CD are as follows:
1. Haritala
2. Mwe Dyahlhaygu
3. Dyahlhaygu
4. Sorath
5. Sinhajya
6. Silu
7. Marsi-Malasri
8. Narayana
9. Narayana
10. Birahini
11. Buddha bhagavan mem
12. Basanta
13. Basanta
14. Bahali puja
a. Procession
b. Solo de khim
c. Makham bahal
15. Mamla jatra
16. Ghatu
17. Ghatu
You can order this CD by calling 1-800-ASKTOWER. Please note that in
their records, the word "festival" is misspelt and appears as "fetival".
So ask for "Fetival music of the Newar" when you call to order. The price
of the CD is ~$15.
Enjoy...
*************************************************************
Date: Thu, 1 Dec 1994 09:25:43 -0500
To: nepal@cs.niu.edu
From: rajendra@coos.dartmouth.edu (Rajendra P. Shrestha)
Subject: More corrections
Here's some more corections in the list of final winners I posted some
days back. Thanks to Keshab dai for pointing out these errors.
1. In Tanahu, there are only three constituencies. Surya Thapa did not
win from there.
2. In Dhanusha the winner was Ram Lakhan Mahat,not Shail Lakhan Mahat.
3. In Dolpa (missing), a NC dissident won but I'm not sure of the
name. If anyone knows, please let me know.
4. In Salyan, the winner was Chhabiprasad, not Rabiprasad.
5. As I mentioned in a previous post, Lokendra B. Chand(Baitadi) is
from RPP.
**********************************************************
From: "Neal Cohen" 30-NOV-1994 22:53:25.89
Subj: First Statement by new PM
First Statement by the new Prime Minister, Man Mohan Adhikari.
After taking office and swearing in his ministers (see separate e-mail
of yesterday with the names), PM Adhikari addressed the press.
1. "We shall work with tremendous sensitivity for social security and
to uproot corruption through an administration that is responsible to
the people."
2. Poverty is a grave problem..."[t]he supply system will be well-man-
aged and other practical measures will be adopted to check poverty."
3. Need to give the national economy by improving all fronts "...adopt
development oriented economic policies and to expand the foundation of
national development by maintaining regional balance and enhancing the
role of the local entrepreneurs and private sector."
4. Mobilize capital, investment and foreign assistance depending upon
the national requirements. Foreign assistance will be encouraged as
provided by these policies.
5. "We shall always remain effortful to improve relations with all
friendly countries, specially India and China, based on the principles
of equality and the Panchasheel.
6. "The Bhutanese refugees' problems are one of the burning issues
facing the country. There are over one hundred thousand Bhutanese refu-
gees currently residing in various camps."
7. "Set up a high level commission to resolve the existing problems on
land reforms."
8. The Mallik Commission report on corruption and misuse of power in
government will be made public.
9. Government will remain very sensitive to ensure the security of
children, the aged and the helpless.
10. The Government will reduce the land revenues charged on land owner-
ship. Practical measures will be taken up to solve the problems of
citizenship and landless squatters.
11. Government will implement the agreement between UML and Congress
on Tanakpur.
12. He expressed profound hope that all countries which have shown
interest for the development of Nepal will continue to extend their
cooperation in the near future. "Nepal has entered into a new journey
and thus I request all concerned to take the country towards the goals
envisaged."
_____________________________________________________________________
This continues talk about price controls and reductions in current
levels of price. The PM has placed CP Mainali in charge of the Ministry
of Supplies which can oversee price controls, imports and sales. He is
one of the most radical Communists in the new Cabinet. Inflation has
fallen in recent months to around 6%, usually prices fall in December
and January, so maybe they can declare victory and not get involved?
The first Congress Minister of Supplies and the head of National
Planning used these powers to confiscate supplies, open "Fair Price
Stores". The reason was such that they did it once.
The talk about helping national capitalists has been a code word in the
past for being anti-Indian and anti-Marwari (Indians who have taken
Nepali citizenship and are very influential in business). The opposi-
tion to privatization is that these people have purchased some of the
firms. They are also talking about increased protectionism to help
national capitalists.
It appears they are continuing to emphasize the need to change the
relationships with India and be less accommodating. There is no word
from any senior Indian official on how they view these developments,
or whether the Indian Ambassador will be recalled (he was viewed by UML
as interfering in the election).
The reduction in land tax is unfortunate. This is a very minor tax
which we had hoped could be built up as a source of local government
revenue, and also as a way to collect more money from the richer local
landlords.
Initial briefings with the new Minister of Finance, Bharat Man
Adhikari, by senior government officials have gone well. He has a very
good reputation and appears less of an ideologue.
Rumors for National Planning include G. P. Lohani as Vice-Chairman (a
man whose time has past), with assistance from Dilli Raj Khanal, Kishor
GuruGharana and Meena Acharya. All three are good economists, well
published, who have had tendencies to approach analysis from the con-
clusion side.
****************************************************************
Date: Thu, 01 Dec 1994 14:56:06 EST
From: tilak@UFCC.UFL.EDU
To: Nepal@cs.niu.edu
Subject: Sanskrit
Dear Abadzi Jee,
Thanks for your note. I know very little about Sanskrit. I
picked up these slokas from different articles and school text
books, where these slokas are highlighted by the author to
emphasize the point being made. I took some Sanksrit courses in
school, but was not a good experience. There were too many
memorizations, without any conceptual contents. I agree with you
that there should be better ways. In my opinion, the study of
Sanskrit should emphasize the learning of the wisdom of the sages
from the ancient times, than the grammar rules.
You are right that the Indianized version of Socrates is
Sukraat, and Aristotle is Arastu. Similar ones are, Alexander -
Sikandar, Moses - Musa, and Jesus - Isa. I read an article titled
'Mahatma Sukraat' in my 5th or 6th grade text book. I picked up
other names from different Indian articles. I cannot quote them
now. Evidently the ancient Indians learned a lot from the ancient
Greeks.
When I called you a 'worthy descendant' of Maharishi
Sukraat, I was being appreciative of the ancient culture where such
minds flowered. I was not thinking in terms of family tree. Please
do not mind for saying so. I do not believe in racism or casteism.
That way, I can also claim to be a descendant of Sukraat along with
Siddhartha, when I ponder and do some objective analysis, in any
subject.
Thanks and regards. Sincerely - Tilak B. Shrestha.
**************************************************************
Date: Thu, 01 Dec 1994 14:59:00 EST
From: tilak@UFCC.UFL.EDU
To: Nepal@cs.niu.edu
Subject: Gurkhas for UN
Dear Udaya Manadhar Jee,
Please refer to your article (TND Nov 2,94), my letter (TND
Nov 4, 94) and your letter (TND Nov 14, 94). In my letter I was not
being critical of your position, rather expressing my opinion. With
your good wishes, I am quite capable of reading your lines and
between the lines as well. In your article, you were not supportive
of Gurkhas in UN, rather were sarcastic against the Farrell and
Lingle. I do share that feeling. However, as I wrote, we need to be
realistic and see the situation in today's context. For example, if
authors were Nigerian, will your reaction be same ? When Farrell
and Lingle wrote 'Gurkhas are superb professional soldiers long
accustomed to service for an authority other than the leaders of
their homeland', is it too far away from the truth ? For example,
the 'Lahure' means the Gurkhas in service of King Ranajit Singh in
Lahore, Punjab. I am neither proud of, nor want to continue such
system. However, I do not mind some of our citizens having the
option to be employed by UN - an international organization. I like
to emphasize that I am talking about a job option or opportunity,
not coercion. Perhaps, as I wrote before, there should be
acceptable policies on deployment, chain of command, rules of
engagement, etc; and some form of vocational training for retirees.
Acceptable chain of command does not automatically mean British
officers, nor excludes Nepalese. Finally, instead of us, perhaps we
should let the service men speak for themselves, whether they would
like to have the option open or not.
Thanks and regards. Sincerely - Tilak B. Shrestha.
***********************************************************
Date: 02 Dec 94 11:04:18 EST
From: Rajendra.P.Shrestha@Dartmouth.EDU (Rajendra P. Shrestha)
Subject: News 11/30-12/1
To: nepal@cs.niu.edu
SOURCE: Xinhua
HEADLINE: king of nepal to summon parliament winter session
DATELINE: kathmandu, december 1; ITEM NO: 1201080
BODY:
king of nepal birendra has decided to summon the 8th session of the
house of representatives, or the first session of the newly elected
lower house, on december 14, according to the parliament secretariat.
the new lower house was elected out through the mid-term poll held on
november 15 after the former low house was dissolved on july 12.
after the elections, a minority government was set up wednesday which
was led by the communist party of nepal (uml), which secured 88 seats
out of a total of 205 seats in the house, becoming the single largest
party. according to the constitution, a minority government should
get the vote of confidence in the house within 30 days after the
swearing in taken by the government. the former ruling nepali
congress (nc), now the second largest party in the house by winning 83
seats, and other political leaders have promised to extend their
support to the government when the vote of confidence being conducted,
it was reported.
SOURCE: AFP
HEADLINE: Nepal's first communist prime minister appointed
DATELINE: KATHMANDU, Nov 30
BODY:
Mana Mohan Adhikari was Wednesday appointed Nepal's first communist
prime minister, state radio announced.
Adhikari, chairman of the Nepal Communist Party-United Marxist and
Leninist (NCP-UML), was also given the portfolio of royal palace
affairs.
The party's general-secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal was appointed
deputy prime minister and given the defence and foreign affairs
portfolios.
The communists emerged the biggest single party from the November
15 general election which saw the centrist Nepali Congress kicked out
of office.
The radio said King Birendra had approved a 15-member government of
nine ministers and six ministers of state.
The cabinet will be officially sworn in later Wednesday by the
king.
The NCP-UML will try to govern alone but will have to win support
from either the rightist Rastriya Prajatantra Party or the Nepali
Congress if it is to survive a confidence vote.
kms/ss/ml
AFP
The Nepal Communist Party-United Marxist and Leninist (NCP-UML)
government's cabinet:
Full Ministers.
Mana Mohan Adhikari: Prime Minister, royal palace affairs
Madhav Kumar Nepal: Deputy Prime Minister, Defence and Foreign
Affairs
Khadga Prasad Oli: Home
Chandra Prakash Mainali: Local Development and Supply
Bharat Mohan Adhikari: Finance
Radha Krishna Mainali: Agriculture and Land Reform
Modh Nath Prachand: Education, Social Welfare and Culture
Pradip Nepal: Communications and Information
Padma Ratna Tuladhar: Labour and Health
State Ministers
Ashok Kumar Rai: Transport and Public Works
Salim Miya Ansari: Forest and Soil Conservation
Prem Singh Dhami: Physical Planning and Housing
Subash Chandra Nemwang: Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs
Bhim Bahadur Rawa: Commerce, Tourism and Civil Aviation
Hari Prasad Pandey: Water Resources and Industry
**************************************************************
Date: Thu, 24 Nov 1994 04:27:13 EST
To: The Editor <nepal-request@cs.niu.edu>
From: Nuru Lama <nurulama@husc.harvard.edu>
Subject: The Nepali education system, some comments
Dear Readers,
Lately we have been hearing a lot on the worthiness and unworthiness of
Budhanilkantha School. As I said, a lot has already been written and so I
don't want to go through it again.
My attention was brought to the attachment of the label "elitism" to
Budhanilkantha. I think that elitism is a state of the mind. You feel
elite, you don't become elite. Elitism is a sense of superiority. Do I as
a product of BKS feel superior? NO. I was born in a village in Solukhumbu
and I always feel rooted to my origin. I am a Nepali like all other 20
million Nepali people. My friends from BKS feel the same way. I say this
'cause I know it. BKS is the place where students from both economic
extremes meet, exchanging ideas and understanding both sides of the
world. Given the diversity of students at BKS, it attempts to create an
atmosphere of equality (even the prince ate the same food, slept in the
same place and wore the school-made clothes like everyone else) and hence
establish everyone as nothing but a Nepali. So where is the sense of
elitism?
One more thing,
some of the participants in the ongoing discussion on Nepali education
seem to view western education as inherently BAD. The west has left us
far behind in the race for economic prosperity. There is much to learn
from THEM and education is the only means. Let us not have this air of
arrogance around us and reject everything "west". The west has a lot to
contribute not only in terms of technology but arts too. By arts, I mean
their literature and philosophy. Education, if it is to promote
productivity and intellectual capacity, should encompass all the choice
that is present so that we can choose the ones that we thing are the most
suitable to our condition.
Nuru
**********************************************************************
Date: Thu, 24 Nov 1994 23:25:07
To: a10rjs1@cs.niu.edu
From: himalaya@ronast.ernet.in
Subject: News from horsemouth
11:18AM 11/24/94
GENTLE(WO)MEN:
Attached herein are two items. Maybe of the interest of
those who cares about Nepal.
With best regards,
Sichendra Bista
Journalist and Interdisciplinary ecologist
himalaya@ronast.ernet.in
Snail mail address:
Post Box 6734
Kathmandu, Nepal
ATTN.: MR. M.K. RAZDAN, PTI, NEW DELHI, INDIA
FROM: SICHENDRA BISTA, KATHMANDU, NEPAL
KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 24: THE ROYALIST NATIONAL
DEMOCRATIC PARTY (NDP) WHICH CAPTURED 20 SEATS
IN THE PARLIAMENTARY POLLS IS LIKELY TO PLAY
A DECISIVE ROLE FOR THE FORMATION OF NEPALS
NEXT GOVERNMENT AS TWO LEADING ARCHRIVALS,
THE GOVERNING NEPALI CONGRESS PARTY (NC)
AND COMMUNIST PARTY OF NEPAL UNITED MARXIST
LENINIST (CPN-UML), COULD NOT MUSTER A SIMPLE
MAJORITY OF 103 SEATS, REQUIRED TO FORM A ONE-PARTY
GOVERNMENT.
WITH THE RESULTS DECLARED IN ALL 205 CONSTITUENCIES,
CPN-UML BAGGED 89 SEATS, NC 83, NDP 20,
HARDLINER LEFT-WING NEPAL PEASANTS AND
LABOURERS PARTY (NPLP) FOUR, ETHNIC
NEPAL SADBHAVANA PARTY (NSP) THREE
AND INDEPENDENTS INCLUDING TWO DISSIDENT
CONGRESSITES SEVEN.
NEVERTHELESS, SPECULATIONS ARE RIFE THAT
THE PRO-PANCHAYAT NDP WILL JOIN WITH
CPN-UML TO FORM NEPALS FIRST COALITION
GOVERNMENT THAT THIS HIMALAYAN KINGDOM
WILL SEE IN EARLY NEXT WEEK.
TALKING TO PTI, NDP GENERAL SECRETARY
DR. PRAKASH CHANDRA LOHANI WHO IS ALSO
A PARLIAMENTARIAN AND FORMER MINISTER
DURING THE PANCHAYAT REGIME, INFORMED
THAT HIS PARTY WOULD GO AHEAD ONLY
AFTER ASSESSING THE POLITICAL SITUATION
THOROUGHLY AND THE QUESTION OF LEANING
WOULD BE SETTLED BY THIS WEEKEND.
FURTHER, DR. LOHANI OPINED THAT THE RECENT
POLLS OUTCOME SHOWS THAT THE NEPALESE
VOTERS GOT TIRED OF ANARCHY AND TYRANNY OF
MAJORITY IN THE PARLIAMENT. IT IS EVIDENT FROM
THE POLLS RESULT THAT THE NEPALESE PEOPLE
WANT A GOVERNMENT WHICH IS BASED ON CONSENSUS
EVOLUTION AND COULD ALWAYS FIGHT FOR THE CAUSE
OF NATIONAL INTERESTS, HE ADDED.
FOR NDP, AS DR. LOHANI SAW IT, CPN-UML IS AS
CLOSE AS NC AND FAR TOO.
MEANWHILE, AN INFLUENCIAL CPN-UML PARLIAMENTARIAN
FROM KATHMANDU MR. KRISHNA GOPAL SHRESTHA TOLD
PTI THAT THERE WAS NO POSSIBILITY TO ACQUIRE SUPPORT
FROM THE THAPA FACTION OF THE PRO-PALACE GROUP
TO FORM A GOVERNMENT.
IT IS NOTWORTHY THAT NDP (THAPA) WHICH WAS
LED BY FORMER PRIME MINISTER MR. SURYA
BAHADUR THAPA AND NDP (CHAND) UNDER THE
LEADERSHIP OF ANOTHER PANCHAYAT PRIME MINISTER
MR. LOKENDRA BAHADUR CHAND MERGED TOGETHER
SOME TWO YEARS AGO. OUT OF 20 SEATS THAT NDP
CAPTURED IN THE RECENT ELECTIONS, 17 BELONGS
TO CHAND FACTION AND THE REST TO THAPA.
A CPN-UML INSIDER INFORMED THAT THE PARTYS
PARLIAMENTARY BOARD MEETING ON WEDNESDAY
DECIDED TO FORM THE NEW GOVERNMENT ON
ITS OWN AND THE VOTE OF CONFIDENCE, VERYFYING
THE MAJORITY OF THE RULING GOVERNEMTN, WILL
BE OBTAINED WITHIN 30 DAYS THROUGH NEGOTIATION
WITH OTHER PARTIES.
ON THE OTHER HAND, NC SPOKESMAN MR. TARANATH
RANA BHAT SAID THAT HIS PARTY IS CONDUCTING
DIALOUGES WITH OTHER PARTIES TO DESIGN THE
FUTURE GOVERNMENT UNDER THE RULING PARTY.
MENTIONABLY, 1442 PERSONS ENTERED THE FRAY
ON NOVEMBER 15 INCLUDING 1057 OFFICIAL
CANDIDATES OF 24 DIFFERENT PARTIES AND 385
INDEPENDENTS. SEVEN WOMEN CANDIDATES OUT
OF 86 CONTESTED WON INCLUDING THREE OF CPN-UML
AND FOUR OF NC.
LIKEWISE, SEVENTY-TWO NC EX-PARLIAMENTARIANS
WERE REELECTED WHILE ONLY ELEVEN EX-LEGISLATORS
OF CPN-UML WERE DEFEATED.
IN THE DISBANDED PARLIAMENT, NC CONTROLLED
114 SEATS, CPN-UML 68, ULTRA-NATIONAL UNITED
PEOPLES PARTY 9, NSP 6, NDP 4 NPLP 2 AND CPN
(DEMOCRATIC) 2.
SOME ONE HUNDRED NEW FACES WERE ELECTED
TO THE PARLIAMENT INCLUDING 50 OF CPN-UML
AND 42 OF NEPALI CONGRESS. END ITEM+
ATTN.: MR. M.K. RAZDAN, PTI, NEW DELHI, INDIA
FROM: SICHENDRA BISTA, KATHMANDU, NEPAL
KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 21: FAILED TO
MUSTER ADEQUATE SEATS IN THE PARLIAMENTARY
POLLS, A HIGH-LEVEL MEETING OF COMMUNIST PARTY
OF NEPAL UNITED MARXIST LENINST (CPN-UML)
ON MONDAY DECIDED TO SEARCH FOR A NATIONAL
CONSENSUS IN A BID TO FORM NEPALS NEW GOVERNMENT.
POLITICAL SOURCES SAID THAT THE CPN-UML
LEADERS HAD ALREADY STARTED DIALOGUES
WITH THE GOVERNING NEPALI CONGRESS
PARTY (NC) AND PRO-MONARCHY NATIONAL
DEMOCRACY PARTY (NDP) HIGH COMMAND
IN AN ENDEVOUR TO CONSTITUTE A COALITION
GOVERNMENT.
BUT, THEY ADDED THAT THE ROUGH
PICTURE OF NEXT GOVERNMENT
WILL COME INTO PUBLIC BY NOVEMBER 23
AFTERNOON FOLLOWING THE DECISIONS OF
THE CENTRAL COMMITTE MEETINGS OF NC
AND RPP, SLATED FOR WEDNESDAY.
SO FAR, CPN-UML MAINTAINED ITS LEAD
WITH ITS VICTORY IN 86 CONSTITUENCIES
OUT OF 199 DECLARED WHILE NC BAGGED
80 SEATS, NDP 20, NPLP FOUR, NSP THREE
AND INDEPENDENTS SIX.
ACCORDING TO ELECTIONS COMMISSION, THE
LARGEST COMMUNIST PARTY IS LEADING IN
TWO PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCIES, THE
PRO-PANCHAYAT NDP IN ONE, LEFTIST NPLP
IN ONE AND INDEPENDENT IN ONE OUT OF
FIVE PLACES WHERE THE VOTE COUNT IS
CONTINUING.
IN A CONSTITUENCY IN MUGU DISTRICT,
THE REPOLLING TOOK PLACE THIS
AFTERNOON AND THE RESULTS OF
THE SIX REMAINING PARLIAMENTARY
CONSTITUENCIES WILL BE DECLARED
BY TOMORROW.
ALTHOUGH THE AGENDA OF THE CPN-UML
CENTRAL COMMITTEE MEETING WHICH
WAS ON-GOING TILL THESE LINES ARE
WRITEEN, WAS NOT DISCLOSED,
IT IS LEARNT THAT THE PARTY HIGH COMMAND
MEETING IS LIKELY TO FINALISE THE SHAPE
OF NEXT GOVERNMENT AND FUTURE
STRATEGIES.
THE MEETING ALSO ACCUSED THE
GOVERNMENT UNDER PRIME MINISTER
GIRIJA PRASAD KOIRALA OF INDULGING
IN ELECTORAL RIGGING AND IRREGULARITIES
IN AT LEAST 30 CONSTITUENCIES AND DECIDED
TO STAGE A PROTEST ON TUESDAY.
EARLIER, CPN-UML GENERAL SECRETARY
MR. MADHAV KUMAR NEPAL TOLD PRESS
REPORTERS THAT HIS PARTY WOULD
GO TO THE COURT AGAINST THE MISUTILISATION
OF STATE RESOURCES
BY THE GOVERNMENT AND OTHER
IRREGULARITIES OF VARIOUS FORMS DURING
THE ELECTIONS. END ITEM+
ATTN.: MR. M.K. RAZDAN, PTI, NEW DELHI, INDIA
FROM: SICHENDRA BISTA, KATHMANDU, NEPAL
KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 21: FOLLOWING THE
DEFEAT OF THE RULING NEPAL CONGRESS PARTY
IN THE PARLIAMENTARY POLLS, NEPALESE PRIME
MINISTER GIRIJA PRASAD KOIRALA ON MONDAY
REQUESTED NEPAL KING BIRENDRA FOR THE
INITIATION OF THE NECESSARY PROCESS TO
CONSTITUTE NEPALS NEW GOVERNMENT.
MR. KOIRALA WHO WAS SUMMONED TO THE
MONARCH THIS EVENING AT THE NARAYANHITI
ROYAL PALACE EXPRESSED HIS WILLINGNESS
TO BE FREE FROM ALL RESPONSIBILITIES AS
A PRIME MINISTER OF THIS HIMALAYAN KINGDOM.
BEFORE HE LEFT FOR THE PALACE, THE OUTGOING
PREMIER ISSUED A PUBLIC STATEMENT, SAYING
THE NEPALI CONGRESS PARTY SERIOUSLY ACCEPTED
THE OUTCOMES OF THE PARLIAMENTARY POLLS AS A
WISH OF THE NEPALESE PEOPLE ALTHOUTH
THE RESULTS WERE UNEXPECTED AND UNPRECEDENTED
TO A PARTY WHICH IS THE BIGGEST POLITICAL FORCE.
HOWEVER, MR. KOIRALA STATED IN THE MESSAGE
TO THE NATION THAT HIS PARTY HAS ACCOPLISHED
TO ACHIEVE THE GOALS THAT THE CURRENTLY
GOVERNING PARTY HAS BEEN STRUGGLING FOR
FIVE DECADES TO CONSOLIDATE MULTI-PARTY
DEMOCRACY THROUGH DECENTRALISED REGIME
WITH PUBLIC FACE.
HE ALSO APPEALED ALL HIS PARTY WORKERS
NOT TO BE DETEREED WITH THE POLLS RESULTS
WHICH WENT AGAINST THE FAVOUR OF THE NEPALI
CONGRESS PARTY AND REQUESTED TO MAKE A
MIND FOR REFORMS AND CORRECTIONS WITHIN
THE PARTY.
WITH RESULTS REMAINED TO BE DECLARED IN SIX
PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCIES OUT OF 205 IN
TOTALITY, COMMUNIST PARTY OF NEPAL UNITED
MARXIST LENINIST CAPTURED 86 SEATS, THE
GOVERNING NEPALI CONGRESS BAGGED 80, THE
PRO-PALACE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY
WON 20 PLACES. LIKEWISE, HARDLINER LEFT
WING NEPAL PEASANTS AND LABOURERS
PARTY BAGGED FOUR SEATS, PRO-INDIA
NEPAL SADBHAVANA PARTY THREE AND
INDPENDENTS SIX.
CONGRATULATING ALL WINNERS, THE OUT-GOING
HEAD OF THE CARETAKER GOVERNMENT HOPED
THAT THE NEW PARLIAMENT WILL BE GUIDED
BY PEACE AND COORDINATION AMONG THE POLITICAL
FORCES.
ACKNOWLEDGING THE CONTIUED COOPERATION
AND ASSISTANCE OF THE FRIENDLY COUNTRIES
AND INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES FOR THE
DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTRY, MR. KOIRALA
HOPED THAT NEPALS FRIENDS WOULD CONTINUE
THEIR ASSISTANCE IN THE FUTURE TOO
WHICHEVER PARTY CAME INTO POWER.
MEANWHILE, THE PRO-GIRIJA NC ACTIVISTS
ALLEGED THAT THE PUBLIC APPEAL OF SUPREMO
MR. GANESH MAN SINGH IN THE VERY MOUTH OF
THE PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS WAS PRIMARILY
RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEFEAT OF THE NEPALI
CONGRESS PARTY.
IT IS NOTEWORTHY THAT OCTOGENARIAN MR.
SINGH MADE A PUBLIC STATEMENT ON
NOVEMBER 1, 15 DAYS AHEAD OF THE MID-TERM
POLLS, APPEALING TO CAST VOTE AGAINST THE
GIRIJA-BRANDED CANDIDATES AND IN FAVOUR
OF REBEL PARTY CANDIDATES OR THE CO-WORKERS
OF THE MOVEMENT FOR RESTORATION OF DEMOCRACY.
THE FREEDOM FIGHTER WHO IS AILING
FROM A SEVERE HEAD INJURY TERMINATED
HIS 48 YEAR OLD ALIGNMENT WITH THE
NEPALI CONGRESS PARTY IN SEPTEMBER
FOLLOWING A RIFT BETWEEN HIM AND ANOTHER
FACTION LED BY PARTY PRESIDENT MR. KRISHNA
PRASAD BHATTARAI AND PREMIER MR. KOIRALA.
BUT, FOLLOWERS OF MR. SINGH OPINED THE DEFEAT
OF THE RULING PARTY WAS RESULTED FROM THE
MISCALCULATION AND ASSUMPTION OF MR. KOIRALA
THAT THE VICTORY OF A PARTY IN POWER WAS INEVITABLE.
IT IS NOT THE POWER, BUT THE PEOPLE WHO
DECIDES THE FATE OF POLITICAL PARTIES IN
A MULTI-PARTY SYSTEM. THIS IS THE LESSON
THAT MR. KOIRALA HAS TO LEARN,
A REBEL EX-PARLIAMENTARIAN COMMENTED.
ATTN.: MR. M.K. RAZDAN, PTI, NEW DELHI, INDIA
FROM: SICHENDRA BISTA, KATHMANDU, NEPAL
POLITICAL OPINION SURVEY SAYS KING MOST INFLUENTIAL
KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 27:BARELY WITHIN FOUR
YEARS OF RESTORATION OF MULTIPARTY DEMOCRACY
IN THIS HIMALAYAN KINGDOM, A MAJORITY OF NEPALESE
VOTERS EXPRESSED DISSATISFACTION WITH THE
PLURALISTIC POLITY, TELLING THAT THEIR LIFE
IS MORE MISERABLE UNDER MULTIPARTY DEMOCRACY
THAN DURING THE DISBANDED PARTYLESS PANCHAYAT SYSTEM.
LIKEWISE, THE KING IS REGARDED AS THE MOST INFLUENTIAL
FORCE IN NEPALESE POLITICS WHILE VOTERS POWER RANKED
SECOND.
THESE FINDINGS ARE BASED ON A RECENTLY-RELEASED
POLITICAL OPINION SURVEY, SPONSORED BY THE UNITED
STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (USAID).
THE SURVEY WAS CARRIED OUT IN THREE DISTRICTS
OF THIS HIMALAYAN KINGDOM NAMELY GORKHA
(WESTERN NEPAL), DANG (FAR WESTERN NEPAL)
AND SIRAHA (EASTERN NEPAL) FOR THREE MONTHS
BY AN INDEPENDENT SECTOR ORGANISATION, SEARCH.
TO CONCLUDE WITH SUCH UNEXPECTED RESULTS,
SEARCH CLAIMED THAT IT HAD INTERVIEWED 1227
BONAFIDE NEAPLESE NATIONALS ABOVE 18 YEARS
IN 28 VILLAGE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEES, STRATIFIED
BY ELECTORAL CONSTITUENCIES IN THOSE DISTRICTS.
POLITICAL ANALYSTS OPINED THAT THE OFFICIAL
US AGENCY-FUNDED REPORT WITH THE OUTCOMES,
FAVOURING HEGEMONISTIC POLITICAL SYSTEM AND
ABSOLUTE MONARCHY, MUST HAVE RELEASED IN A BID
TO INFLUENCE THE CURRENT POLITICAL IMBROGLIO IN
THE COUNTRY.
FORTY-SIX PER CENT OF RESPONDENTS EXPRESSED
THEIR DISSATISFACTION WITH THE MULTI-PARTY
DEMOCRACY WHILE 43 PER CENT FAVOURED THE I
NTRODUCTION OF PLURALISM, THE REPORT SAID.
IT IS NOTEWORTHY THAT NEPAL KING BIRENDRA
RELINQUISHED HIS ABSOLUTE POWER AND RESTORED
A MULTI-PARTY DEMOCRAY IN 1990 AFTER DECADES OF
STRUGGLE. FATHER OF THE PRESENT KING, KING
MAHENDRA DISBANDED THE PLURALISTIC POLITY
AND INTRODUCED THE PARTYLESS PANCHAYAT
SYSTEM IN 1961.
THE PALACE IS REGARDED AS MOST POWERFUL
POLITICAL FORCE BY 33% OF THE INTERVIEWEES.
LIKEWISE, 29% RESPONDENTS SAID VOTERS ARE
MOST INFLUENCIAL AND 21% ASSUMED THAT
POLITICAL PARTIES HAVE MORE INFLUENCE ON
NEPALS POLITICS.
THE DOCUMENT ALSO STATED THAT A MAJORITY
(47%) OF VOTERS WERE UNHAPPY WITH
THE FUNCTIONING OF POLITICAL GROUPS
COMPARED TO 38% WHO SAID THEY WERE CONTENT.
FORTY-TWO PER CENT OF VOTERS FEEL THAT
THE THREE ELECTIONS, TWO NATIONAL AND
ONE LOCAL, ARE NOT HELD IN A FREE AND FAIR
MANNER THAT IN THE PANCHAYAT DAYS WHILE
39 PER CENT OPINED OTHERWISE.
ROUGHLY THREE-FOURTHS (74%) OF THE
INTERVIEWEES HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THE SUPREME
COURT, AND 70% OF THEM HAVE NEITHER BEEN TO A
COURT NOR HAVE KNOWN ANYONE VISITING THERE,
THE SURVEY FOUND OUT.
INTERESTINGLY, THE FINDINGS FURTHER SAID THAT
ONE IN FOUR VOTERS LISTENED TO RADIO AND
ONE IN SIX SAW TELEVISION FREQUENTLY ALTHOUGH,
OFFICIAL INDICATORS STATES, THE SHARE OF A RADIO
GOES TO 432 CITIZENS AND A TELEVISION TO THOUSANDS.
ASIDE FROM NEPAL TELEVISION, ONE FOURTH OF THE
TV VIEWERS TUNE TO FOREIGN CHANNELS. AMONG
THE TV SIGNALS BEAMED FROM OUTSIDE NEPAL,
DOORDARSHAN AND ZEE TV WERE FOUND MOST
POPULAR AMONG THE VIEWERS. FIFTY-FIVE PER CENT
0F THOSE WHO TUNE TO FOREING CHANNELS SAID
THAT THEY ENJOY THE TWO HINDI CHANNELS MOSTLY.
ATTN.: MR. M. K. RAZDAN, PTI, NEW DELHI, INDIA
FROM: SICHENDRA BISTA, KATHMANDU, NEPAL
HORRIFIC HORNETS
KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 27: TWO HONEY HUNTERS
WERE STUNG TO DEATH AND FIVE OTHERS WERE
INJURED UNDER THE ATTACK OF A SWARM OF
FURIOUS HORNETS IN A JUNGLE IN DANG, WESTERN
NEPAL ON TUESDAY.
A DAY EARLIER TO THAT ACCIDENT, THE HUNTERS
WERE LEARNT TO HAVE SMOKED TWO HIVES AND
EXTRACTED HONEY FROM ONE HIVE, LEAVING ONE
FOR THE NEXT DAY. ON THEIR RETURN THE NEXT
DAY, THE Y CAME UNDER ATTACK OF THOSE
DEADLY INSECTS, REPORTS REACHING HERE SAID.
THE DECEASED ARE NOT YET BEEN IDENTIFIED WHILE
THE INJURED VICTIMS ARE UNDERGOING
TREATMENT IN A LOCAL AYURVEDIC HOSPITAL.
ATTN: MR. M. K. RAZDAN, PTI, NEW DELHI, INDIA
FROM: SICHENDRA BISTA, KATHMANDU, NEPAL
KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 27: THE RULING NEPALI
CONGRESS PARTY (NC) IS STILL MAKING A
DESPERATE ATTEMPT TO CLING TO THE
POWER ALTHOUGH BOTH OF ITS POSSIBLE
COUNTERPARTS, THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF
NEPAL UNITED MARXIST LENINIST (CPN-UML)
AS WELL AS ROYALIST NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC
PARTY (NDP), HAVE ALREADY PLAYED THEIR CARDS
AGAINST THE NC EXPECTATION.
TALKING TO REPORTERS IMMEDIATELY AFTER
THE GOVERNING PARTYS TWO AND A HALF HOUR
LONG CENTRAL WORKING COMMITTEE MEETING
(CWC) PRECEDED BY THE PARTYS PARLIAMENTARY
BOARD MEETING, LASTED FOR THREE HOURS, AT
PRIME MINISTER MR. GIRIJA PRASAD KOIRALAS
OFFICIAL RESIDENCE AT BALUWATAR THIS EVENING,
PARTY PRESIDENT MR. KRISHNA PRASAD BHATTARAI
SAID THAT CPN-UML HIGH COMMAND HAS DENIED
TO ALIGN WITH HIS PARTY TO FORM A COALITION
GOVERNMENT AND A TEAM WAS CONDUCTING
DIALOGUE WITH NDP.
CONTRARY TO MR. BHATTARAIS CLAIM, CHIEF
OF THE CPN-UML PUBLICITY WING AND NEWLY-ELECTED
PARLIAMENTARIAN MR. PRADEEP SAID, I REGRET TO
SEE MR. BHATTARAI BLATANTLY LYING TO THE PRESS.
ELABORATING WHAT REALLY HAPPENED TO THE
NC-UML TALKS FOR ALIGNMENT, MR. NEPAL
TOLD PTI THAT MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE
MR. RAMCHANDRA POUDEL AND CPN-UML
GENERAL SECRETARY MR. MADHAV NEPAL
WERE HOLDING TALKS ON BEHALF OF THEIR
RESPECTIVE PARTIES AT THAT TIME WHEN
MR. BHATTARAI MADE THE SELF-STYLED CLAIM.
ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON, A THREE-MEMBER
TEAM OF THE RULING PARTY INCLUDING MR.
POUDEL DIALOGUED WITH CPN-UML GENERAL
SECRETARY AND HIS TWO ACCOMPLICES. THE
NC SIDE ASKED US TO SUPPORT TO FORM THEIR
GOVERNMENT WITH SOME SHARE OF CPN-UML
IN THE CABINET UNDER MR. POUDEL WHICH WE
REJECTED AT ONCE, HE DISCLOSED.
FURTHER, HE ALLEGEDLY QUESTIONED HOW A
DEMOCRATIC-ORIENTED POLITICAL GROUP LIKE
NC COULD COME UP WITH UNCONSTITUTIONAL
AND IMMORAL PROPOSAL.
ASKED WHETHER CPN-UML WISHED TO RESUME
THE TALKS, YOUNG MR. NEPAL REPLIED THE NC
UNILATERALLY BROKE THE CONTINUING TALK
AND HIS PARTY HAD NO INTEREST TO
RECONTINUE THE TALKS IF THEY APPROACH
WITH UNDIGESTIBLE PROPOSALS.
MEANWHILE, NDP SPOKESMAN AND LAWMAKER
MR. KAMAL THAPA INFORMED PTI THAT NO DIALOGUE
WAS CONTINUING BETWEEN HIS PARTY AND THE
GOVERNING PARTY CURRENTLY AT THE OFFICIAL
AND AUTHORITATIVE LEVEL AS CLAIMED BY NC
PRESIDENT MR. BHATTARAI.
WE COULD NOT JOIN OUR FATE NEITHER WITH NC
NOR CPN-UML UNLESS THEY APPROACH NDP AT
THE OFFICIAL LEVEL AND CLARIFY US THE
CONTRADICTORY CLAIMS AND STATEMENTS IN
THEIR MANIFESTOES, MR. THAPA WHO WAS
ONCE MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND
INFORMATION IN THE PANCHAYAT DAYS,
MADE THEIR STANCE CLEAR.
IT IS NOTEWORTHY THAT NDP CENTRAL WORKING
COMMITTEE MEETING LAST FRIDAY DECIDED TO
REMAIN IN THE OPPOSITION.
FOLLOWING THE NOVEMBER 29 MID-TERM POLLS,
NEPAL FACED A POLITICAL IMBROGLIO TO SEE A
STABLE GOVERNMENT AS NOT A SINGLE PARTY
COULD MUSTER A SIMPLE MAJORITY OF 103 SEATS
IN THE 205-MEMBER NEPALESE PARLIAMENT,
REQUIRED TO FORM A ONE-PARTY GOVERNMENT.
ALTHOUGH NEPAL KING BIRENDRA HAVE ASKED
LEADING POLITICAL PARTIES TO NAME THE
HEAD OF NEPALS NEXT GOVERNMENT AT THE
EARLIEST, THE POLITICAL PARTIES COULD NOT
DO ACCORDINGLY SO FAR AS NO TWO PARTIES
COULD AGREE TOGETHER TO FORM A COALITION
GOVERNMENT.
NOTABLY, CPN-UML CONTROLS 86 SEATS, NC 83,
NDP 20, ETHNIC NEPAL SADBHAVANA PARTY 3,
LEFT-WING NEPAL PEASANTS AND LABOURERS
PARTY 4 AND INDEPENDENTS SEVEN.
MORE/PAGE TWO
PAGE TWO/ NOVEMBER 27/ SICHENDRA BISTA/ KATHMANDU/ NEPAL
POLITICAL SOURCES CLOSE TO THE PALACE SAID
THAT CPN-UML PRESIDENT AND LEADER OF ITS
PALIAMENTARY BOARD MR. MANMOHAN ADHIKARI
WOULD BE SUMMONED TO KING BIRENDRA AND
SWORN IN BY TUESDAY AS NEPALS NEW PRIME
MINISTER IF A COMBINATION OF PARTIES FAILED
TO PROPOSE A NAME.
IF SO HAPPENS, MR. ADHIKARI WILL BE THE FIRST
COMMUNIST PRIME MINISTER AFTER THE END OF
COLD WAR BY TUESDAY EVENING!
ACCORDING TO CONSTITUTION OF THE KINGDOM
OF NEPAL, THE MONARCH WILL APPOINT THE LEADER
OF THE PARLIAMENTARY BOARD OF THAT PARTY
WHICH HOLDS THE LARGEST NUMBER OF SEATS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (LOWER HOUSE)
AS PRIME MINISTER IF NO PARTY COULD MUSTER
A CLEAR MAJORITY OR COMMAND A MAJORITY
WITH THE SUPPORT OF TWO OR MORE PARTIES,
HAVING CONTROL OVER THE PARLIAMENTARY SEATS.
HOWEVER, THE PRIME MINISTER NOMINEE SHOULD
OBTAIN A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE IN THE HOUSE
OF REPRESENTATIVES WITHIN 30 DAYS OF HIS
APPOINTMENT.
IN ADDITION, THE KING IS OBLIGED TO SUMMON
THE PARLIAMENTARY SESSION WITHIN 30 DAYS
OF ELECTIONS AND NOTICE IN THIS REGARD SHOULD
BE ISSUED TO CONCERNED PARTIES 15 DAYS AHEAD
OF THE SESSION, TO BE CALLED.
THEREFORE, THE PALACE SOURCE ADDED, THE
MONARCH IS SCHEDULED TO SUMMON THE NEW
SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE BY THURSDAY,
15 DAYS AFTER THE NOVEMBER 15 POLLS.
THE RULING PARTYS PARLIAMENTARY BOARD
MEETING WILL BE HELD ONCE AGAIN IN MONDAY
AFTERNOON BECAUSE NC PARLIAMENTARIANS,
TAKING PART IN THE SECOND MEETING AFTER
THE SNAP POLLS WITHIN THREE DAYS TODAY,
WERE UNCERTAIN AND DIVIDED OVER WHETHER
THE PARTY SHOULD GO TO THE POWER OR
REMAIN IN OPPOSITION. ACCORDING TO NC
CWC MEMBER AND SPOKESMAN MR.
TARANATH RANA BHAT, THE PARLIAMENTARY
BOARD MEETING ON MONDAY WILL ALSO ELECT
ITS LEADER AND HE HAS BEEN NOMINATED AS
THE RETURNING OFFICER TO CONDUCT THE VOTING.
TALKING TO THIS CORRESPONDENT, PARTY PRESIDENT
MR. BHATTARAI ON SUNDAY REITERATED THAT
HE WANTED TO FORM THE GOVERNMENT WHILE
PREMIER KOIRALA AND NC GENERAL SECRETARY
MR. MAHENDRA NARAYAN NIDHI ARE IN FAVOUR
OF REMAINING IN OPPOSITION.
BUT, AS NDP SPOKESMAN MR. THAPA SEES IT,
CPN-UML WHICH BAGGED THE MAJORITY OF
THE SEATS IN THE PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS
SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO FORM ITS MINORITY
GOVERNMENT BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN
CONSISTENTLY CLAIMING FOR THAT.
AND WE ARE READY TO LEND OUR HANDS IF ANY
PARTY ASK FOR OUR SUPPORT AFTER 30
DAYS TO FORM A COALITION GOVERNMENT
TO ACCELERATE THE PROCESS OF DEMOCRATIC
CONSOLIDATION IN THE KINGDOM, MR. THAPA ASSURED.
FIRST, LET CPN-UML FORM ITS MINORITY
GOVERNMENT TO BREAK CURRENT POLITICAL
DEADLOCK. THERE WILL STILL BE ANOTHER
30 DAYS TO THINK AND RETHINK WHETHER
TO SUPPORT THEM TO MAKE THE MINORITY
GOVERNMENT ACQUIRE A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE,
HE OPINED. END ITEM+
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