Nepal parties discuss govt formation

Facing a Saturday deadline, Nepal’s opposition parties today decided to cobble up a new coalition government with help from one of Maoists' key former allies and a possible split in another party in attempts to resolve the political crisis triggered by the abortive bid to sack the army chief.

As President Ram Baran Yadav, whose decision not to accept the sacking of Gen Rukumangad Katawal led to Prime Minister Prachanda’s resignation yesterday, set the deadline, 21 parties met and decided to form the government under the leadership of CPN-UML that pulled out of the Maoist dispensation.

The parties including Nepali Congress, Terai Madhes Democratic Party, Sadbhavna Party and Rashtriya Prajatantra Party command a strength of over 280 MPs in the 601-member Constituent Assembly.

The opposition alliance is eyeing a majority of the 53 members of the Madhesi People’s Rights Forum (MPRF), who are said to be not averse to joining the new coalition even if it comes to a split, political sources said.

The Saturday deadline was set under Article 38 (1) of the interim Constitution which provides for orming a new council of ministers on the basis of consensus, according to sources at the President’s office.