Denied DPM, Sujata opts out of India trip

KATHMANDU, Aug 19: Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala took an eleventh hour decision not to accompany Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal on the India visit, in a fit of anger over his refusal to appoint her deputy prime minister. [break]



Foreign Minister Koirala struck her name off the prime minister´s delegation list saying she was unwell with ´vomiting´ and ´diarrhea,´ according to sources close to her.



However, Nepali Congress (NC) sources said the ´real´ reason behind the foreign minister´s last-minute withdrawal from the visit was the prime minister´s refusal to appoint her deputy prime minister as demanded by Girija Prasad Koirala.



The sources said NC President Koirala had asked Nepal during their meeting Monday to appoint Sujata deputy prime minister before leaving for India.



Nepal along with his political advisor Raghuji Pant and Home Minister Bhim Rawal had reached Koirala´s residence at Maharajgunj on a courtesy call before the India visit. NC leader Krishna Sitaula was also present during the meeting.



“Even the third largest party has been given a deputy prime ministership, but the largest party in government has been denied that post. Nepali Congress is dissatisfied,” a source quoted Koirala as telling Nepal. “Do address the issue before your visit to India.”



Nepal then gave a diplomatic answer saying he would decide after holding discussions with his party and collation partners.



Sources said Prime Minister Nepal refused to appoint Koirala deputy prime minister as UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal told him they cannot give in to NC President Koirala´s demand.



Meanwhile, NC Central Committee members have taken Sujata´s last minute decision not to accompany the prime minister to India seriously.



NC Vice President Gopalman Shrestha, CC members Gobinda Raj Joshi and Arjun Nara Singh KC and others, raised the issue during the CC meeting Tuesday.



The CC members vented anger, asking whom the party´s ministers were answerable to -- Parliamentary Party, Central Working Committee or someone else.



As all CC members present in the meeting expressed ignorance about this development, Parliamentary Party leader Ram Chandra Poudel was asked to furnish a reply about Sujata´s decision.



The CC members have asked party Acting President Sushil Koirala and PP leader Poudel to furnish a reply at the CC meeting scheduled Wednesday after establishing if party president Koirala had made such a demand of the prime minister.



koshraj@myrepublica.com

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