NWPP not to join cabinet; Pradeep Nepal resigns form UML Standing Committee

May 2, 2006
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The Nepal Workers and Peasants Party (NWPP), a partner in the seven-party alliance (SPA), has decided not to join the Council of Ministers.

A meeting of the central committee of the party on Tuesday decided to limit the party in the role of opposition in the reinstated House of Representatives. The NWPP, however, pledged cooperation to the government led by Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala.

A meeting of the SPA had yesterday decided to have representatives of all seven parties in the cabinet. NWPP chairman Narayan Bijukchhe had gone out of SPA the meeting held at Koirala’s Maharajgunj residence, asking the leaders to keep the cabinet seat of his party vacant until the decision of the central committee of the party.

Meanwhile, Janamorcha Nepal vice-chairman Lilamani Pokhrel has said his party is yet to decide whether to join the cabinet.

Talking to reporters at Singha Durbar before the meeting of the HoR today, Pokhrel said a meeting of his party scheduled for Wednesday would take a decision on this matter.

PM Koirala formed a seven-member cabinet today with three members from his party, Nepali Congress, and one each from CPN (UML), NC (Democratic) and United Left Front.

Meanwhile, UML spokesman Pradeep Nepal today announced his resignation from the membership of the Standing Committee of the party saying that he was not informed about the party’s decision to accept the post of deputy prime minister (DPM) with foreign affairs portfolio.

The standing committee had demanded Home Ministry along with the post of DPM.

Talking to reporters at the premises of the parliament this afternoon, he said the party settled for the DPM and foreign affairs portfolio whereas the Standing Committee had decided otherwise and that he was not informed about the new decision.