Nepalese parties launch parleys on forming govt

I / Kathmandu May 5, 2009, 14:31 IST

Major parties in Nepal today launched hectic parleys on forming a new government to ease the political crisis triggered by Prime Minister Prachanda's resignation after the President scuttled his Maoist government's decision to sack the army chief.        

Former Maoist ally CPN-UML, which had withdrawn support due to differences over the move to sack the Army Chief, is trying to form a new government with the support of Nepali Congress, the second largest party in Parliament which is considered pro-India.        

But, the Maoists are trying hard to scuttle the attempts by the CPN(UML) to form a Government. Sources said the Maoists are planning to support a smaller party to form government.        

The CPN(UML) has called for a meeting of 24 political parties today to discuss formation of a new government.The names of CPN-UML general secretary Jhalanath Khanal and former general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal are doing the rounds for the post of prime minister.        

Prachanda tendered his resignation to Yadav yesterday after announcing his decision to quit in a nationally-televised address.The President is expected to formally invite all political parties to initiate the process of forming the next government by proving their majority.        

The political crisis, which follows months of tussle between the premier and the army chief over the induction of former Maoist rebels into the army, is threatening the fragile peace process in the country that witnessed a decade-long insurgency waged by the Maoists before they returned to mainstream in 2006 after signing a peace deal.        

Currently, the Maoist strength in the 601-member Constituent Assembly is 238. The NC has 112 seats, UML 108, Madhesi People's Rights Forum 53, Terai Madhes Democratic Party 21 and Sadbhavana Party nine seats. A minimum of 301 seats are required to form a government.