KATHMANDU, Sept 29: The Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) and the CPN-UML have decided to press Speaker Subash Nembang to end the ongoing process to elect a new prime minister through amendment to the existing regulations and begin a new consensus-based process, if the Nepali Congress (NC) continues to stick to its stance.[break]
A meeting of the 11 political parties, including the Maoists and the UML reached a decision to this effect during a meeting held at Singha Durbar on Wednesday. Maoist Chairman Dahal and UML Chairman Jhalanath and leaders of other small parties were present at the meeting.
House set to initiate speaker, dy speaker election process toda...
“First we will request the NC to withdraw its candidacy. But we will go for options if the party sticks to the ongoing election. We will urge the speaker to use special power to end the deadlock or amend the regulations to begin the process anew,” said Maoist vice-chairman Narayankaji Shrestha.
However, Speaker Nembang has been maintaining that he doesn’t enjoy any special power to end the deadlock or allow amendment to the existing regulations. He has time and again told the Maoists and UML that the regulations cannot be amended until the NC withdraws its candidacy.
After Maoist Chairman Puspa Kamal Dahal’s withdrawal of his candidacy, NC leader Ram Chandra Poudel has become the sole candidate in the prime ministerial race. Maoist and UML lawmakers have not been participating in the election.
“With the Maoists, UML, Madhes-based parties not participating in the prime ministerial voting, only 189 lawmakers are voting and that doesn’t lead to the formation of a government,” said UML chief whip Bhim Acharya.
He said they would also consult lawyers to seek possible alternatives, besides requesting Speaker Nembang to either use his power or allow the amendment to the existing regulations to end the ongoing election process.
