By Nepal News Correspondent

Kathmandu, Feb 17:

Nepali Congress parliamentary Party is to meet on February 21 to decide the fate of Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai. Secretary of the NC Parliamentary Party executive committee Benup Raj Prasai called the meeting of the Parliamentary Party to discuss the no confidence motion registered in the party by some 58 lawmakers against Prime Minister Bhattarai.

In a press statement issued by the NC parliamentary party secretariat, it is said that the meeting of the parliamentary party was called as per the constitution of the Nepali Congress. According to the constitution of the Nepali Congress Parliamentary Party, if 25 per cent members demand in writing, the meeting has to be called within 15 days of such demand.

Fifty-eight lawmakers of the ruling Nepali Congress registered the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Bhattarai in the parliamentary party secretariat Wednesday. Lawmakers accused the Prime Minister and his government of failing to give proper direction to the country and perform well. According to the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal, the King has to appoint leader of the parliamentary party of the majority party of the country.

King Birendra appointed Bhattarai Prime Minister some nine months ago when he was elected leader of the Nepali Congress Parliamentary Party. Nepali Congress commands majority in the House of Representatives (Lower House of Parliament) that elects the Prime Minister. If Bhattarai loses his battle in the meeting of the parliamentary board of his party, he would be automatically relieved of premiership.

Nepali Congress command comfortable majority in the 205- member Lower House with 114 members.

Sources close to the Prime Minister Bhattarai have said that he was willing to face the motion in the parliamentary party and he would not step down under pressure.