As the countdown for declaring Nepal a republic begins with only weeks left for the first sitting of the Constituent Assembly to take place, King Gyanendra has reportedly said that he just wishes for a “respectable status” even though that means according him cultural and religious rights only.
This was conveyed by Rastriya Prajatantra Party (Nepal) chairman Kamal Thapa to CPN-Maoist Chairman Prachanda during their meeting at the latter’s Nayabazaar residence, second in as many weeks.
During the nearly hour long meeting in which, another senior Maoist leader Dr Baburam Bhattarai was also present, Thapa, who is nowadays seen in his new avatar of palace’s unofficial emissary, tried to learn about the Maoist leadership’s proposal of affording “honorable exit” to the monarch. Thapa also told the Maoist leadership that King Gyanendra wanted the Maoist leadership to uphold the April 11, 2006 agreement between royal palace and the political parties, which effectively ended King Gyanendra’s royal regime and led to the formation of the seven party government and jump started the peace process.
Although the details of the secretive agreement between the king and the political parties held on the mediation of Indian special envoy Karan Singh, who is himself the erstwhile Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir has not been made public, Thapa told Prachanda that both parties had agreed to end only “dictatorial monarchy” but not the entire institution of monarchy and that during his many meetings with various political parties King Gyanendra was assured that some form of monarchy would be retained.
Thapa told Prachanda that the king wants the Maoist leadership to abide by this understanding and also conveyed to Prachanda that the king intends to remain as the “symbolic” king having “cultural and religious rights”.
In the earlier meeting with Thapa Prachanda had proposed that if the king voluntarily abdicated then he would be accorded a respectful place and could even be allowed to be active in politics. Dr Baburam Bhattarai had also said that if the king voluntarily gives up his throne then he would be given “cultural rights”. The Maoist party later clarified that giving cultural rights to the King didn’t mean that he would remain as a cultural king.
According to sources, Prachanda told Thapa the people are not in favour of retaining any form of monarchy and that the king should leave his throne by respecting the sentiment of the people. The Maoist chairman also warned that if he didn’t do that then a difficult situation would arise.
Top Maoist leaders have stepped up their rhetoric against the king in recent days, saying that if he doesn’t voluntarily leave his throne then they might even consider overthrowing him out of the palace by using force. nepalnews.com ag May 12 08
Continuing his parleys with political leaders, newly appointed Indian ambassador to Nepal Raksh Sood met Speaker of interim parliament, Subash Nemwang, Monday.
The meeting held at Nemwang’s office in Singha Durbar dwelled mainly on the preparations being made for the first sitting of the Constituent Assembly that is taking place within the two weeks. They also shared ideas on the ongoing political deliberations for a consensus, it is learnt.
Ambassador Sood has held a series of meetings with key political leaders including Prime Minister G.P Koirala and Maoist chairman Prachanda over the past few days. nepalnews.com mk May 12 08
In a new political development, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and coordinator of Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) Upendra Yadav are learnt to have reached a crucial understanding on amending the constitution for the formation of the new government.
Emerging from the meeting, Yadav told media persons that PM Koirala was positive towards MJF demand for constitutional amendment to include a provision for the removal of the Prime Minister with a simple majority.
During the meeting held at Koirala’s official residence in Baluwatar there was also agreement on forming the new government immediately after reaching a consensus on it with all the political parties.
Peace Minister Ram Chandra Poudel had accompanied the Prime Minister in the meeting while Upendra Yadav was flanked by another MJF leader Bijaya Kumar Gachhedhar, a former Nepali Congress central member.
After emerging as the fourth largest party in the Constituent Assembly following the April 10 polls, MJF has intensified meetings with top political parties to discuss the composition of the next government as it is likely to form an important part of it.
The first meeting with PM Koirala since the polls, it came a day after MJF leaders along with its allies Terai Madhesh Loktantric Party and Sadbhawana Party met with top leaders of former arch-rival CPN-Maoist wherein they reached understanding on forming the new government prior to the first sitting of the Constituent Assembly.
Although during the meeting MJF coordinator Yadav and CPN-Maoist chairman also reached an agreement on the new government nominating the 26 members for the CA, the meeting failed to decide on constitutional amendment MJF had been seeking as CPN-Maoist are opposed to the idea.
Immediately after the meeting with the MJF chief, PM Koirala held discussion with other terai centric parties including TMLP and SP on formation of the next government and its leadership.
Koirala is said to be rooting for a “respectful place” – something like ceremonial president — in the new government which is likely to be formed under the leadership of the Maoists. However, majority of Central Working Committee members of Nepali Congress have been pressuring him to give up his ‘lust’ for presidency or remaining in power in any way. nepalnews.com ag May 12 08
Chiefs of three major student organisations met with Maoist chairman Prachanda at the latter’s residence Monday morning to express dissatisfaction over ‘minimal’ student participation in CA.
President of Maoist affiliated All Nepal National Independent Student Union – Revolutionary (ANNISU-R) Lekh Nath Neupane, president of Nepali Congress affiliated Nepal Student Union (NPU) Pradeep Poudel and president of UML affiliated All Nepal National Free Student Union (ANNFSU) Thakur Gaure met with Prachanda.
The student leaders discussed with Prachanda about the education policy of his party in a federal republic Nepal. The student leaders also conferred on process of announcing Nepal a republic through the first sitting of the constituent assembly.
The student leaders are also learnt to have expressed dissatisfaction over fewer representation of student bodies in the CA. nepalnews.com ia May 12 08
The Nepal national cricket team – playing under the name of CAN XI- stunned the strong Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Academy XI by 15 runs in the final friendly match played Sunday at the Kirtipur Cricket Ground.
History was created when the Nepali spinners displayed excellent form despite struggling in batting. Shakti Gauchan showed a matured game scoring 50 not out while off-spinner Sanjam Regmi took a five-wicket haul to cut the deficit to 2-1 in the 3-friendly-matches. Nepal batted first, and as usual, they were below par in batting.
The Nepali openers struggled with the Pakistani bowlers’ pace in the early overs and were at 45-6 in 11 overs. Basanta Regmi (2), Paras Khadka (1) and Dipendra Chaudhary (0) lost their wickets in frequent intervals but Shakti Gauchan and Mahesh Chhteri controlled match and pushed the team score to 136 runs.
The PCB Academy started the match in a blistering pace scoring 46 runs in just two starting overs. Acting Captain Paras Khadka then brought in the sharp spinners to restrict PCB from scoring. Visitors then came under reeling pressure when Sanjam took three wickets and Basanta Regmi scalped another, reducing them for 108-9. The last five wickets of Pakistani team were castled out for just 17 runs.
“We clinched a morale boosting win”, former Sri Lankan test player and Nepali coach Roy Dias told reporters. “We played against a very strong side which will help us for our up-coming Division V World Cup Qualifying Round going to be played in Jersey, England”, he added.
The Nepali team suffered a seven wickets and 109 runs loss against PCB in
the first and second friendly matches. nepalnews.com bt May 12 08
The Human Rights Organization of Bhutan (HUROB) has called for urgent action to save the Bhutanese refugees from victimization and torture of police in the West Bengal state of India.
The rights organization, which has been speaking up against discrimination suffered by Nepali speaking Bhutanese under the Druk regime in Bhutan and the problems of the country’s citizens who have been exiled in Nepal and India, said that a “witch hunting” of Bhutanese refugees has begun in the state especially in North Bengal and Darjeeling Hill Council.
The “witch-hunting” started after the incidence of bomb explosion on 3rd April 2008 in Siliguri, a town in West Bengal state, in which three Bhutanese refugees had died. The West Bengal police later arrested five Bhutanese refugees including two girls in Siliguri in connection with the incident.
“Innocent refugees are being harassed and students studying in the schools and colleges are doubted and even arrested,” said HUROB in a statement Sunday. The statement was signed by HUROB chairman SB Subba.
Bhutanese students Ashok Gurung and Kamal Subba studying in standard 12 in Kamal Jyoti School and Som Nath Rai, a BA final year student in Kalimpong College in Kalimpong, Darjeeling Hill Council were arrested without any warrant by the West Bengal police on Sunday. Their whereabouts are not known and as well as the reason of arrest.
“The spat of unwarranted action of the police of West Bengal is creating fear and trepidation in the mind of the Bhutanese refugee students in the state of West Bengal and depriving them from pursuing education smoothly,” Subba said, demanding immediate release of the students and other prisoners and an end to harassment of innocent refugees.
He added that there are also rumors that the West Bengal government is in the spree of sweeping the Bhutanese refugees from the state and the Hill council.
Stating that “an incident and action of few” should not be use as a premise to victimize the innocent people and that any action should be based on facts, HUROB accused the Indian government of being apathetic to the cause of Bhutanese refugees especially the Nepali speaking Bhutanese, adding that the recent action “has become one of the more reasons to believe in it.” nepalnews.com ag May 12 08
In the wake of media reports of major child adoption rackets, the government has passed new terms and conditions so as to make the inter-country adoption process more transparent.
After the implementation of new terms and conditions, the Adoption Recommendation Committee, formed under secretary of the Ministry for Women, Children and Social Welfare, will formally approve and give the final decision on application of adopting parents, the Kathmandu Post reported.
Prakash Kumar Adhikari, a legal officer of the ministry, told the daily that the orphanages will no longer be involved in the matching process.
Under the new terms, the orphanages will only have to submit a list of eligible children meant for adoption, and adopting parents need to select from the same list provided by the ministry.
Also, the parents willing to adopt are required to contact the ministry either through authorized international adoption agencies or through concerned embassies located in the capital and that no other broker or facilitator will be involved in the process.
Adhikari said that this provision will reduce the lengthy process and make it more transparent particularly on the issued of fees. He also said that prospective parents would not have to be burdened with paying extra money and taking approval from other ministries.
Altogether 2,201 Nepali children have been adopted by foreign parents so far mostly by families from Germany, Italy, the US, France and Spain, according to the ministry’s record. nepalnews.com ag May 12 08
The central committee members of the Nepali Congress continue to put pressure on the party leadership not to join the new government to be formed under the leadership of the Maoists.
On Sunday’s meeting, they demanded that party remain out of the government for the interest of the party.
They also asked Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala to give up the desire to be president and stay in power. Furthermore, they asked the party leadership to convince UML and Madhesi Janadhikar Forum not to join the Maoist led government.
On Saturday, Maoist leader Dr Baburam Bhattarai had accused PM Koirala of trying to get appointed as president of the country.
The NC leaders however stressed on the need of a critical and constructive role by the party in drafting the new democratic constitution. nepalnews.com ia May 12 08
The Constituent Assembly Court has summoned the Election Commission, District Election Office, Sarlahi and the winner from Sarlahi-5 Khobhari Raya for hearing scheduled for May 27.
Three-member bench of the court issued the order on Sunday following the hearing and said it would decide whether to issue an interlocutory order after the proceedings on May 27.
Jangi Lal Raya of Terai Madhes Loktantrik Party lost to Khobhari of Nepal Sadhbhawana Party. Raya challenged the poll result saying Khovari and his supporters captured booths. nepalnews.com ia May 12 08
The seven-party alliance (SPA) has held joint discussion with 18 others parties that have their representatives in the newly elected Constituent Assembly (CA) on key topics including the initial proceedings of the CA.
Speaking during the meeting at the Parliament Secretariat in Singha Durbar Sunday evening, most SPA leaders called for political consensus in the constitution-making process and emphasised that the first CA meeting should declare the country a republic.
Nepali Congress general secretary Bilamendra Nidhi and CPN-UML leader Jhal Nath Khanal said that their parties were committed to past agreements and were ready for a broad political consensus. Nidhi claimed that the nation would plunge into deep political crisis if the first CA meeting failed to implement republic.
Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) leader Bijaya Gachhedar said that the parties need to build consensus before the CA convenes.
Speaker of the interim parliament Subas Nemwang informed that physical arrangements for the first CA meeting, to be held at the Birendra International Convention Centre (BICC) in Baneshwor, were almost complete. He said he was confident that the republican model would be implemented from the first meeting itself.
Representatives of all 25 parties attended at the meeting. The meeting was still on till press time (8:20 pm) with representatives of some parties waiting for their turn to speak. nepalnews.com mk May 11 08