After failed negotiations with second-rung NC leaders in Baluwatar on Friday, Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and CPN-UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal, among other leaders, had reached NC President Girija Prasad Koirala´s residence to settle the issue of appointments. [break]
According to NC sources, Koirala proposed Bir Bikram Rayamajhi, who is deputy governor at Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), for the post of governor. Koirala´s daughter Sujata, who is also the Foreign Minister, has also been lobbying for Rayamajhi´s appointment to the post.
UML leaders, however, are learnt have expressed reservation over Koirala´s proposal. During the meeting, UML proposed Dr Yuvraj Khatiwada, who is currently serving as the Vice Chairman of National Planning Commission (NPC), for the post of governor.
Similarly, while the NC proposed Shree Kant Regmi as the head of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), the UML wanted Udaya Nepali to assume the post.
A UML leader present in the meeting said his party floated a proposal to appoint Regmi as the chief of Public Service Commission (PSC). “But there was no consensus as Koirala would not give in,” said the leader on condition of anonymity.
Koirala had flatly rejected UML´s proposal insisting that Regmi be appointed as the head of the CIAA.
A top NC leader said the appointment of governor and the CIAA chief remained the most contentious issues. “Once these issues are settled rest other appointments would be easily resolved,” he added.
Sources said NC and UML leaders have agreed in principle to internally promote senior-most officials to fill the post of chief election commissioner and auditor general.
koshraj@myrepublica.com
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