In a meeting with the representatives of Democratic Professors´ Association (DPA) and National Professors´ Association (NPA), which are close to the Nepali Congress (NC) and the UCPN (Maoists) respectively, Prime Minister Dr Bhattarai promised that he would take initiatives to forge broad-consensus to resolve the row. [break]
The DPA and the NPA had padlocked seven universities on August 10--a day after then Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal appointed VCs to the varsities that had remained without leadership for three months.
The two associations have demanded that Khanal´s decision be cancelled, and fresh process be started to appoint the VCs on the basis of consensus.
“Khanal had no authority to appoint VCs as a caretaker prime minister,” the DPA chairman Neupane told Republica. “Besides, Khanal handpicked all the VCs from his own party-fold, without consulting any of us.”
Even almost one month after their appointment, none of the new VCs have assumed their posts due to the padlocking at Tribhuvan University, Mahendra Sanskrit University, Pokhara University, Purbanchal University, Far Western University, Mid West University and Agriculture and Forest University.
Related story
I will deliver on my election promises: PM Dahal
