Friday, May 22, 2009

Re: [Bahujan-forum] Nepal Updates: May 22: "Coup" to "Counterrevolution": New PM Tomorrow?



On Fri, May 22, 2009 at 8:49 PM, Sukla Sen <sukla.sen@gmail.com> wrote:


[Well, we expected that India would take a consistent position in favour of civilian supremacy because of its own traditions and because it had supported the struggle for democracy here. In fact, I want to make it clear that before taking any action against Katawal, I told the Indian Ambassador, Rakesh Sood, that if it is possible, could you please send a message that I want to have a serious discussion on this issue and if either the foreign secretary or some other senior person can come here to talk. We knew some confusion is there between the Maoist-led government and India on this question. I wanted to settle this issue through interaction and discussion with high-level officials from Delhi. But unfortunately, the ambassador informed me that this cannot happen now because the election campaign is going on, that nobody is there, that it is very difficult.


That's excerpted from an interview given by Prachanda to a senior Indian journalist who is a consistent and zealous supporter.

So Prachanda (the Fierce one) expected India to take a position on Nepal's internal strife, and that too in a manner consistent with India's earlier track record. There is nothing implicit about it. He is perfectly explicit.
And, not only that, Prachanda "wanted to settle this issue through interaction and discussion with high-level officials from Delhi". And made all the possible attempts. He himself is telling. But "unfortunately" that did not fructify.

The caption of the interview, in original quote marks: 'India should have defended civilian supremacy in Nepal'.]


I/IV.

Dahal vents ire at former allies; says new govt might just be a 'puppet'

Outgoing Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal said Friday that it is quite possible the new coalition government will be a puppet of reactionaries and different power centres.

Addressing the parliament, Dahal alleged the partners of the new UML-led coalition of engaging in a dirty game as they try to install a new government. Describing the exercise to form the new government as part of a 'counter-revolution', the Maoist chief said those "rejected by the people" are now being placed at the helm.

The caretaker Prime Minister in his speech repeatedly questioned the morality of other political parties alleging them of not being able to stand for sovereignty, integrity and unity of the nation.

Dahal, who spent most of his time criticising other parties, said former allies betrayed him in the army chief episode. The parties, according to him, had agreed to take action against the army chief, but later they did a complete about face.

Describing the President's decision to reinstate the army chief as being regressive and unconstitutional, he said the Maoist party would continue peaceful protests to restore civilian supremacy.

Dahal also took a swipe at army chief Rookmangud Katawal, refering to the Rayamajhi Commission's report in which Katawal has been found guilty of suppressing the Janandolan-2. He said Katawal repeatedly challenged the elected government's orders.

Furthermore, Dahal claimed the rumours of power capture by the Maoists were part of a conspiracy to derail the peace process and incite fresh conflict.

He said he was ready to face action if the rumours of his party bringing weapons into the PLA cantonments to capture the state were proven. He made it clear that the Maoists would not run away from the peace process and the constitution-drafting process.

In his speech, the outgoing Prime Minister also made indirect reference to Indian pressure that is believed to have played a role in bringing down the Maoist-led government. He said he tried to establish relation with India as required in the changed context and that the two neighbors should not be seen as "big brother-small brother" anymore and the relation between India and Nepal should be brought on a par.

II.

http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2009/may/may22/news13.php

PM election schedule announced

The Constituent Assembly Secretariat this evening announced the schedule for the election of new Prime Minister, which will take place on Saturday.

As per the schedule, the prime ministerial candidates will have to file nomination between 10 am to 1 pm on Saturday and the final list of the candidates will be published at 1:30 pm.

The election for the new PM will start in the parliament at 3 pm.

UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal is the common candidate of 22 political parties while the Maoists are yet to decide whether to field their prime ministerial candidate. 

III.

http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2009/may/may22/news10.php

NWPP to vote for MK Nepal

Nepal Workers and Peasants Party (NWPP), which has five members in the Constituent Assembly, has finally decided to vote for Madhav Kumar Nepal to the post of prime minister.

A meeting of the party on Friday decided to support Nepal's candidacy as the UML-NC coalition pledged, in writing, to address the 18-point demands it raised.

NWPP has informed UML chairman Jhalnath Khanal of its decision to stand in favour of Nepal but said it won't join the new coalition government.

IV.

http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2009/may/may22/news08.php

PM to address House today; Maoists may field Jhakku as Prime Ministerial candidate

Caretaker Prime Minister and Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal is scheduled to address the legislature parliament this afternoon as he prepares to leave his official residence, Baluwatar, which will find a new occupant in a day or two-- most probably on Saturday.

Dahal will speak mainly on the works done by his nine-month government, and will clarify the party's position on the President's 'constitutional' decision to block the government decision to sack army chief Rookmangud Katawal.

A meeting of the Maoist central secretariat held at Baluwatar Friday morning had finalised the content of his address.

Dahal had cancelled his address yesterday as Nepali Congress, UML and other parties reiterated that the House cannot take up the resolution tabled by the Maoists against the President's move as the Supreme Court is to give its decision on a case against it. On the other hand, the Maoist side refused to withdraw the resolution.

The parliament is to conduct the election for new Prime Minister Saturday afternoon. Senior UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal is the common candidate of 22 parties in the parliament while the Maoists are yet to decide whether to contest.

Maoist spokesperson Dina Nath Sharma told reporters after today's secretariat meeting that the party may field Jhakku Prasad Subedi, who had defeated Nepal in Kathmandu-2 in the Constituent Assembly election, as its Prime Ministerial candidate. Sharma said the party will decide this after the PM's address.

Meanwhile, Baluwatar sources say PM Dahal is preparing to leave his official quarter by Saturday morning, hours before the House elects a new PM.

Dahal had announced his resignation on May 4, slamming the President's move and vowing to fight for 'civilian supremacy' and against foreign inference in Nepal's internal affairs.


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