Nepal President writes to parliament for forming majority government

Kosh Raj Koirala – Asian Tribune Correspondent in Nepal

Kathmandu, 11 May, (Asiantribune.com): President Dr Ram Baran Yadav on Sunday wrote a letter to Parliament to start procedures to form a majority government in Nepal.

President Dr Yadav wrote the letter as the political parties failed to reach consensus for a new unity government in the set deadline that ended on Saturday midnight.

As per the Article 38 (2) of the Interim Constitution, President should make a call to form a majority government if attempts to form a government of ‘national consensus’ do not yield any results.

Earlier on Monday, Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) had stepped down from the government after President Yadav blocked their unilateral decision to dismiss army chief Rookmangud Katawal.

The party wishing to form a government under its leadership needs to garner support from 301 of the total 601 members in the Constituent Assembly.

But piecing together a majority government is easier said than done as the Maoists, the largest party in the Nepal’s Constituent Assembly with 238 seats, have been obstructing the parliamentary proceedings since Tuesday against the President’s move to reinstate army chief Katawal.

A politburo meeting of the Maoist held on Saturday decided not to take any initiative to form new government until President Dr. Yadav corrects what they termed "unconstitutional move" to reinstate the army chief. The Maoist cadres have also stepped up their protest activities against President across the country.

Meanwhile, CPN-UML, the third largest party in the CA, has started consultation with possible partners for forming a new government under its leadership. Nepali Congress, which stands as the second largest party, has supported the UML.

However, the formation of new government is likely to be delayed further as the UML has to seek support from fringe political parties in the CA to form government.

- Asian Tribune -