Report: New Nepali gov't unlikely formed within given time

KATHMANDU, May 8 (Xinhua) -- The formation of a new Nepali government within the time frame given by President Ram Baran Yadav looks have to be delayed as parties are divided over consensus government.
According to Friday's nepalnews.com, the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) (UCPN-M) during its politburo meeting Thursday concluded to remain out of forming new government until president withdraws his move to reinstate army chief.
Party chairman Prachanda also told Nepali Congress Girija Prasad Koirala Thursday that his party will not participate in any government without its demand being met.
On the other hand, the Communist Party Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) leadership is divided over who should lead the new government.
Party chairman Jhala Nath Khanal who was positive of his leadership in the new government pulled back after Nepali Congress proposed Madhav Kumar Nepal as the prime ministerial candidate.
MK Nepal lost Constituent Assembly elections from both constituencies he contested and was later appointed under proportional representation seat, through political consensus. He is now the chairman of the Constitutional Committee.
The establishment faction of the CPN-UML has started lobbying again for the UCPN-M leading the new government amid Nepali Congress announcement not to join the UCPN-M-led government at any cost.
Constitutionally, the alternative to consensus government is given by majority government. However, the continued obstruction of Constituent Assembly sittings by the UCPN-M will hamper the election of the new prime minister. As per the constitution, primeminister needs to be elected from the Constituent Assembly (CA).
CA chairman Subash Nemwang has cautioned President Yadav of this provision after getting hints that some lawyers advised president to bypass the procedure if obstruction in House continued.
Nepali President Ram Baran Yadav on Monday evening has accepted the resignation tendered by Prime Minister Prachanda.
The Nepali government led by the UCPN-M on Sunday morning decided to sack Chief of Army Staff Rookmangud Katawal without the coalition's consensus. The coalition party CPN-UML hence pulled out of the government on Sunday afternoon.
Late on Sunday, President Ram Baran Yadav faxed a special instruction to Katawal, asking him to continue in his office, which the UCPN-M leaders termed as unconstitutional and meaningless.

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