CPN-UML leader Nepal to head new government

Kosh Raj Koirala – Asian Tribune Correspondent in Nepal

Kathmandu, 13 May, (Asiantribune.com): It is now almost Madhav Kumar Nepalcertain that senior leader of CPN-UML Madhav Kumar Nepal will be new prime minister of Nepal as all three regional parties that are key to form a new coalition, agreed in principle to support a new government led by the UML.

At a meeting of 18 of the 24 political parties representing in Constituent Assembly held on Tuesday, the Madhesi People’s Rights Forum (MPRF), Sadbhawana Party (SP) and Tarai-Madesh Democratic Party (TMDP) extended support to the UML-led government.

However, they have not decided yet whether they would join the coalition government to hold ministerial portfolios. They are expected to make their stance clear on the issue by Wednesday.

The three parties with their stronghold in southern part of the country popularly known as Madhesh decided to back the UML-led government after the Nepali Congress, the second largest party in the CA and the UML gave written commitment to fulfill the issues of Madhesh.

However, the Madhesi parties have expressed reservations over one clause in the written commitment. The clause states that issues related to constitution will be decided by Constituent Assembly. The Madhesi parties have also demanded that the parties be ready to amend interim constitution to incorporate the issues of Madhesh as agreed in eight-point agreement reached with them last year.

Nepali Congress and CPN-UML insisted until last minute on Tuesday that Madhesi parties join the government. The parties are set to jointly prepare a final draft their position for negotiation to formally reach an agreement on Wednesday.

Political analysts believe that coalition will be very weak if the Madhesi parties supported only from outside and deny becoming the part of the government.

A party wishing to form a majority government needs to have support from 301 of 601 members in the Constituent Assembly.

While Nepali Congress has a total 114 the CPN-UML has 109 seats in its bag. The MPRF, SP and TMDP have 53, 21 and 9 seats, respectively, in Constituent Assembly.

- Asian Tribune -