Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal met President Dr Ram Baran Yadav at the latter’s office, Shital Niwas, discussing wide range of issues including constitution drafting process and the government-army row.
The Prime Minister informed the President, who is the Supreme Commander of the Nepal Army, on the notice sent to army chief Rookmangud Katawal by the government, asking him for clarification, within 24 hours, for not complying with its orders. The meeting lasted around 45 minutes.
PM Dahal met the President hours after the government asked the army chief to come up with a formal clarification. A cabinet meet yesterday concluded that the army chief had gone against a number of decisions of the government, “challenging the norms of civilian supremacy”.
There has not been any reaction from the President’s office regarding the row between the government and the army.
The government and the army top brass are at odds over the retirement of eight Brigadier Generals, new recruitments in the NA and the boycotting of some events under the 5th National Games.
According to sources, Prime Minister Dahal during a meeting with the army chief yesterday asked him to resign and that the government is mulling over his ouster. nepalnews.com mk/ia Apr 20 09