ID :
14180
Tue, 07/29/2008 - 11:13
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/14180
The shortlink copeid
Maoists demand formation of new govt before SAARC Summit
Kathmandu, July 28 (PTI) - Nepal's cabinet Monday gave the green signal to caretaker Prime Minister G. P. Koirala to represent the country at the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (S.A.A.R.C.) Summit, drawing strong opposition from Maoists who demanded that a new government beformed before the Colombo meet scheduled for August 2-3.
"Since the formation of the new government has not yetstarted the cabinet has decided to attend the S.A.A.R.C.
Summit under the leadership of caretaker government's Prime Minister Koirala," Minister for Peace and ReconstructionRamchandra Poudyal told reporters after a meeting.
The decision by the cabinet, dominated by Koirala's Nepali Congress, drew strong rebuke from Maoists' second incommand Baburam Bhattarai.
"It is amazing that Koirala, who has already tendered his resignation is leading the Nepalese delegation to theS.A.A.R.C. Summit," he said.
"A new government should be formed before the summit, and this government must be stopped from taking part in the meet,"Bhattarai said.
Under intense pressure from Maoists, who emerged as the biggest group in the April 10 Constituent Assembly election, Koirala had tendered his resignation on June 26 that wasaccepted by President Ram Baram Yadav last week.
Yadav was elected as Nepal's first President after the Nepali Congress, Communist Party of Nepal (UML) and Madhesi groups joined hands to defeat the Maoist candidate, in a setback to the former rebels led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal orPrachanda who had staked claim to lead the government.
A rattled Prachanda has set three pre-conditions for government formation including a written commitment from allies that his administration will last for two years,intensifying the nearly four-month long logjam.
As the Foreign Minister has resigned, Finance MinisterRam Sharan Mahat will attend the summit in his place.
"Since the formation of the new government has not yetstarted the cabinet has decided to attend the S.A.A.R.C.
Summit under the leadership of caretaker government's Prime Minister Koirala," Minister for Peace and ReconstructionRamchandra Poudyal told reporters after a meeting.
The decision by the cabinet, dominated by Koirala's Nepali Congress, drew strong rebuke from Maoists' second incommand Baburam Bhattarai.
"It is amazing that Koirala, who has already tendered his resignation is leading the Nepalese delegation to theS.A.A.R.C. Summit," he said.
"A new government should be formed before the summit, and this government must be stopped from taking part in the meet,"Bhattarai said.
Under intense pressure from Maoists, who emerged as the biggest group in the April 10 Constituent Assembly election, Koirala had tendered his resignation on June 26 that wasaccepted by President Ram Baram Yadav last week.
Yadav was elected as Nepal's first President after the Nepali Congress, Communist Party of Nepal (UML) and Madhesi groups joined hands to defeat the Maoist candidate, in a setback to the former rebels led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal orPrachanda who had staked claim to lead the government.
A rattled Prachanda has set three pre-conditions for government formation including a written commitment from allies that his administration will last for two years,intensifying the nearly four-month long logjam.
As the Foreign Minister has resigned, Finance MinisterRam Sharan Mahat will attend the summit in his place.
