By Nirjal Dhungana

Perhaps, it will not be outright preposterous to say that Nepal’s politics is in its direction of extreme polarisation.

Despite the loud rhetoric about attempts to regain rapprochement, the chasm between the Maoist and non-Maoist parties is rapidly getting cavernous.

Latest postures of political parties, of course, do not bode well to a peace process, which has already bled to anemic because of myopic visions of major political actors.

The polarisation between the Maoist and other parties is showing no signs of abating. As such, the possibility of meeting 28 May 2010 deadline for writing the new constitution is getting remote at an escalating pace.

No doubt, the chronic coherence in the perceptions of the political parties vis-à-vis crucial issues is pushing the country to the vortex of renewed conflict.

The latest turn of events has lent credence to the suspicion that the country might again flounder in a quagmire of disaster.

The legitimacy of the Constituent Assembly process is in limbo with the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, the overriding document that governs the peace process, being rendered a sham.

It seems that Maoists, whose second phase of protests (Nov. 1-13) was largely peaceful, are now shifting the axis of their ongoing agitation for “civil supremacy”.

Some observers say the Maoist stalwarts are also capitalising upon the ongoing political impasse to reassert their commitment for their core constituencies- ethnic and working class.

The land grabbing drive unleashed by Maoists for squatters’ rights some days back attests to this fact, they argue.

The unilateral decision on the part of them to declare autonomous states across the country also accentuate that the Maoists are raking recourse to hard-line politics.

The government also seems to be in mood to adopt confrontational measures against the Maoists. The issues related to arms import from India, establishment of an Army airbase in Surkhet, and organised attacks against UNMIN for its “biased inclination” towards Maoists give ample space to argue that the opposition against the Maoists have magnified.

Undeniably, the activities of the government and other state institutions are also putting the peace process in peril.

In his recent visit to New Delhi, Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) Chhatra Man Singh Gurung got assurance from Indian Army that he would receive “any kind of military assistance.”

The ambiguity in the way Delhi assured Gurung gives room to imply that the “South Block” wants to see the Maoists continue to be isolated.

Moreover, the airing of scornful tirade by Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal that the ruling coalition is acting as a pawn of New Delhi mandarins has further complicated the already entangled political situation. nepalnews.com

Nepal Derivative Exchange Ltd (NDEX) has on Monday ventured into live trade of four commodities – gold, silver, crude oil and copper.

NDEX is an electronic commodity and derivative market which provides online platform for traders to buy and sell commodities and derivatives efficiently and at a justified price.

NDEX aims to facilitate trading in commodities, metals, energies and currencies. Around 20 commodity brokers are said to be associated with the exchange.

Meanwhile, the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) has decided to comply with a ‘no work, no pay’ provision during strikes and blockades caused by workers.

According to it, the entrepreneurs will not pay for the day when workers are absent from work. nepalnews.com

Registrar of National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS), Bir Hospital, Bishwa Raj Joshi has resigned on moral grounds owning up the failure to resolve current crisis at Bir Hospital.

Dr Joshi tendered his resignation before health minister Umakant Chaudhary Tuesday evening during a meeting of the ministry officials with the top management of NAMS and Bir Hospital.

The hospital, whose services were badly affected for 12 days due to strikes by NAMS’ resident doctors, has come to a standstill from today after consultant doctors joined the agitation of the resident doctors.

Health ministry has sought clarification from NAMS Vice Chancellor Dr CP Maskey and Rector Shree Krishna Giri on their failure to resolve the crisis.

Sources say, the ministry has removed Dr Dirgha Raj RC from the position of director at Bir Hospital. However, this report could not be officially established.

Health minister Uma Kant Chaudhary had reportedly asked the top officials of NAMS and the hospital to resign a few days ago if they can’t solve the problem. nepalnews.com

Information and Communications Minister and government spokesperson Krishna Bahadur Mahara

Information and Communications Minister and government spokesperson Krishna Bahadur Mahara (File Photo)
Information and Communications Minister and government spokesperson Krishna Bahadur Mahara has said that the King should be given ‘lesser budget than in the past.’

“We think that the King should not be given any budget at all. If that is not possible, then the budget should be very less,” he told reporters in Butwal on Thursday.

Mahara promised to pass the Right to Information Act and Working Journalists Act within a month and vowed to implement them.

He said these two bills would be passed as soon as the next session of the budget starts next week.

Although seven parties have set aside Australia, France, South Korea and Denmark for Maoists to name their ambassadorial nominees, the latter have demanded that they be given at least one out of what they call as four ‘A’ category of nations.

CP Gajurel, chief of foreign cell of Maoists, told Nepal Samacharpatra daily, that they want their man in at least one of the four nations. “We have said we have to be given one of the four ‘A’ category nations such as United States, Russia, China or India,” Gajurel said.

As per the current proposed list prepared by the government, Prime Minister’s foreign affairs advisor Suresh Chalise is nominated as ambassador for the US; Congress leader Shailaja Acharya for India; UML leader Tanka Karki for China; and general secretary of Parliament-Secretariat Surya Kiran Gurung for Russia.

“First of all, the list has to be agreed upon by the eight parties. Then, we should agree on seat-allocations as well,” said Gajurel.

The daily adds that since the US could refuse ‘agreemo’ of Maoist nominee and given its standing in other countries, it is pushing for sending its envoy to China.

Although the Maoists have categorised the nations, the Foreign Ministry has not done so.

Sources close to Maoists add that the issue could be resolved after talks between Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and Maoist chairman Prachanda.

On Thursday, because of Maoist objection the Parliamentary Special Hearing Committee could not take up the issue of hearing ambassadorial nominees.

Mercantile Office systems, the authorised distributor for the Acer company has launched Acer Aspire Timeline notebooks and Aspire G3730 desktop computers in the Nepali market.

(From left) Sanjib Raj Bhandari, CEO of Mercantile Office Systems, Regina Lee, Manager, Regional Business Development Corporate Sales of Acer Computer Pte Ltd and Kabindra Jonchhe, Senior Manager, Sales, Marketing and Business Development of Mercantile at a press conference organised in Kathmandu to launch the new Acer notebooks and desktop computers on Friday, June 19 09. Mercantile is the authorised distributor for Acer products in Nepal. nepalnews.com/rcm

(From left) Sanjib Raj Bhandari, CEO of Mercantile Office Systems…
Speaking at a press conference in Kathmandu on Friday, Manager for the Regional Business Development Corporate Sales of Acer Computer Pte Ltd Regina Lee said that the newly introduced products have more features; are power efficient and lighter than previous models of Acer and other companies.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Mercantile Office Systems Sanjib Raj Rajbhandari expressed confidence that the new models of notebooks and desktop computers would attract Nepali customers.

Representatives of Acer Dealers from the various parts of Nepal were present at the launching ceremony to familiarize themselves about the new products. Meanwhile, in a lucky draw, Bhim Ghimire, photo journalist of Kantipur won an Acer notebook.

The new Acer Aspire Timeline series mark the beginning of a new era in mobile computing, an era when you have more time to get things done, stay connected and enjoy entertainment, according to the distributors.

According to the company, it has some key components-weight less than 1.9 kg, more than eight hours battery, less than one inch thin and laminar wall jet technology.

The Aspire Timeline Series complies with the strictest Energy Star 5.0 prerequisites. Acer Power Smart adapter does even more, as it consumes 66% less than required by Energy Star.

The next product Aspire G3730 desktop computers have basic components as well as a DVD-RW, card reader and 19″ wide LCD monitor.

Acer Company, which was founded in 1976, has constantly pursued the goal
of breaking the barriers between people and technology, Lee said.

The company has networks in more than one hundred countries. nepalnews.com kp June 19 08

Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal expanded his cabinet for the third time on Wednesday, but failed to form a full-fledged cabinet as three Madhesi parties- Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF), Terai Madhesh Loktantrik Party (TMLP) and Sadbhawana Party (SP)- didn’t send their representatives today.

The Prime Minister inducted five new ministers and six ministers of state – four ministers and three state ministers from his party, CPN (UML), and one minister and three state ministers from Nepali Congress.

Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal administers oath of office and secrecy to five newly appointed ministers (from right) Rabindra Shrestha, Mohammad Aftab Alam, Rakam Chemjong, Bhim Rawal and Shankar Pokharel in the presence of President Dr Ram Baran Yadav at the presidential palace, Shitwal Niwas, Wednesday, June 17 09. nepalnews.com/rh

Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal administers oath of office and secrecy to five…
Ministers from the UML – Bhim Rawal (home), Shankar Pokharel (information
and communications), Rabindra Shrestha (general administration) and Rakam Chemjong (peace and reconstruction) – and Mohammad Aftab Alam (labour and transport management) from Nepali Congress were sworn in this evening.

Three ministers of state from the UML are: Jutu Gautam Darji (general administration), Dilli Bahadur Mahat (peace and reconstruction) and Rizban Ansari (home). Likewise, Ganesh Bahadur Khadka, Chandra Singh Bhattarai and Khadga Bahadur Basyal of Nepali Congress have been appointed as minister of state for local development, energy and health respectively.

Prime Minister Nepal administered oath of office and secrecy to the cabinet ministers in the presence of President Dr Ram Baran Yadav amid a ceremony at the Presidential Palace, Shital Niwas, while the state ministers were sworn in at the PMO, Singha Durbar.

Deputy Prime Minister and MJF leader Bijay Gachchhadar and leaders of other Madhesi parties were absent in the swearing-in ceremony.

The Madhesi leaders absence is construed as their displeasure over the distribution of ministerial berths.

Although the Prime Minister has agreed to allocate desired number of the ministries to them the Madhesi parties are said to be unhappy for not getting powerful portfolios they had been demanding. As per the latest agreement, MJF will get five ministries along with equal number of state ministers, TMLP will have three ministries and two state ministers and Sadbhawana one ministry plus a state minister.

The three Madhesi parties that met yesterday to form a common position over power sharing had earlier threatened to stay outside the government if they were denied fair share.

Meanwhile, Dambar Shrestha of CPN (ML) who was sworn in as minister without portfolio has got land reform ministry.

PM Nepal had inducted UML leaders Bidhya Bhandari (defence) and Surendra Pandey (finance) on May 25 when he was sworn in.

In the second cabinet expansion, he had appointed Gachchhadar as DPM with physical planning portfolio and six ministers from NC – Sujata Koirala (foreign affairs), Prakash Saran Mahat (energy), Purna Kumar Sherma (local development), Bal Krishna Khad (irrigation), Uma Kanta Choudhary (health) and Minendra Rijal (federal affairs and legislature parliament). Except Koirala, the five NC representatives were sworn in as ministers without portfolio. nepalnews.com mk June 17 09

Nepali Congress leader and former deputy Prime Minister Shailaja Acharya passed away at the age of 65 Friday morning while undergoing treatment at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Maharajgunj.

Acharya had been ill since past two years and hospitalised since the past year. She had undergone treatment in Bangkok and Kathmandu. Doctors in Bangkok, where Acharya had been hospitalised for nine months, had diagnosed her with Alzheimer’s disease.

Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala pays his last respects to Shailaja Acharya while her body was kept at the NC central office, Sanepa, before her funeral at Pashupati Aryaghat, Friday, June 12 09. She died this morning at the age of 65. nepalnews.com/ANA

Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala pays his last respects to …
She breathed her last at 4.25 am. She was admitted at the hospital Wednesday after she complained of respiratory problem and was put on ventilator support at the Intensive Care Unit since then.

Late Acharya was among the few women leaders who made a remarkable contribution to reinstate democracy in the country in 1990.

She was jailed for showing black flag to the then King Mahendra in 1961. She went into self-exile in India when she was released from jail after three years. She returned to Nepal with her political mentor and then NC president B.P Koirala in 1976 with a message of national reconciliation.

Acharya was appointed agriculture minister in the first elected government following the restoration of democracy in 1990. She resigned from the post, complaining of widespread corruption in the ministry. In the coalition government in 1997, Acharya was the deputy prime minister with water resources portfolio.

Her body was kept at the NC central office, Sanepa, for a few hours for paying last respects.

NC president Girija Prasad Koirala, who is her maternal uncle, Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, UML chairman Jhala Nath Khanal, Maoist leaders Narayankaji Shrestha and Krishna Bahadur Mahara, Rastriya Prajatantra Party chairman Pashupati Shumsher Rana, and huge number of NC cadres and relatives were present there to pay their last respects to her.

Her last rites were performed at the Pashupati Aryaghat amid huge presence of political leaders, activists and relatives. Nepal Army offered 9-gun salute as an honour to the late Congress leader.

Meanwhile, the legislature parliament passed a condolence note on Acharya’s death. Today’s sitting ended without entering into the regular business. Speaker Subas Nemwang presented the condolence note before the House.

Unified CPN (Maoist), which has been disrupting the House proceedings for several days now, allowed the sitting to take place in order to pass the condolence note. nepalnews.com June 12 09

Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) is on the brink of a vertical split with the rival factions maintaining opposition stand over their participation in the government.

Sources say the party establishment is preparing to formally announce the withdrawal of its support to the government after Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal appointed MJF parliamentary leader Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar as the deputy prime minister without the consent of the party.

MJF establishment are to organise a press conference this afternoon to reveal the party’s position on the row.

Party chairman Upendra Yadav, who commands majority in the central committee but is in minority in the parliamentary party, has described Gachchhadar’s appointment as a ploy to break the party. Sources also claim that the party is set to expel party leaders and lawmakers who have supported the new government.

Gachchhadar was sworn in as DPM with physical planning portfolio on Thursday, along with six ministers from the Nepali Congress and one from CPN (Marxist Leninist), even as MJF chief wrote a letter to the PM asking him not to induct Gachchhadar in the cabinet since the party had not officially named its leader in the government.

Meanwhile, internal dispute in the MJF turned nasty today as supporters of party chairman Yadav and Gachchhadar clashed at the party central office.

Tension began after Gachchhadar found the main door of the party office padlocked when he reached there to receive felicitations from his cadres. Gachchhadar ordered his cadres to break the door open, entered the party office and received felicitations.

Cadres supporting Yadav waved black flag to Gachchhadar as he was being garlanded. Yadav supporters also pelted stones at Gachchhadar’s car when he was returning.

Police resorted to baton-charging to take the situation under control. nepalnews.com June 05 09

Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal has expanded his three-member cabinet by inducting one deputy prime minister and seven new ministers including six ministers from Nepali Congress and one minister from the CPN (ML), Thursday evening.

Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal (left) administering oath of office and secrecy to the newly appointed ministers in presence of President Yadav (middle) amid a special function organised at the President’s office, Shital Niwas, Thursday, Jun 04 09. nepalnews.com/rh

Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal (left) administering oath of office…
President Dr Ram Baran Yadav has appointed Madheshi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) parliamentary party leader Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar as the deputy prime minister, and Sujata Koirala, Prakash Sharan Mahat, Minendra Rijal, Bal Krishna Khand, Uma Kanta Chaudhary and Purna Kumar Sherma of NC and Dambar Shrestha of the CPN (ML) as ministers.

Sujata Koirala, who leads the NC team, has got the portfolio of the foreign ministry and Gachhadar has got the portfolio of ministry of physical planning and works. Other ministers are yet to be allocated with a ministry.

PM Nepal administered oath of office and secrecy to the newly appointed ministers in presence of President Yadav amid a special function organised at the President’s office, Shital Niwas at 8 pm Thursday.

Earlier today, NC president Girija Prasad Koirala named his daughter Sujata as the party’s leader in the government despite resentment from senior NC leaders and MJF leader Gachhadar submitted a list of ministerial candidates from his party to PM Nepal.

Meanwhile, the coalition leader, CPN-UML, could not nominate its ministers today. Party sources said the list of ministers could not be finalised as some coalition partners were yet to submit their lists. nepalnews.com June 04 09