Valley
PM calls five-party meet
Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has called a meeting of five national parties on Thursday morning to discuss temporary capitals of the seven provinces, appointment of state chiefs and the date for National Assembly election.Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has called a meeting of five national parties on Thursday morning to discuss temporary capitals of the seven provinces, appointment of state chiefs and the date for National Assembly election.
The decision was taken after a meeting between PM Deuba and CPN (Maoist Centre) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Tuesday.
According to Govinda Pariyar, PM’s senior press expert, the duo discussed ways to resolve the pressing political issues.
The government would announce temporary capitals of the seven provinces and appoint the provincial chiefs, also called governors, after consultations with top leaders of the CPN-UML, Maoist Centre, the Nepali Congress, the Rastriya Janata Party Nepal and the Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum Nepal, said Pariyar. During the meeting, Dahal urged the PM to immediately announce the date for National Assembly election. He also urged the PM to appoint provincial chiefs in consultation with other political parties.
Dahal’s press aide Manhari Timilsina said the process of forming a new government was stalled due to the slow pace of the incumbent administration and the Election Commission.
Prodded by the Maoist chair to act urgently, Deuba reportedly replied that he was set to hold a consultation with the Election Commission. The PM also pledged to move ahead by forging consensus.
A meeting of the NC chaired by Deuba on Tuesday morning decided to intensify political consultations for finding consensus on the pressing concerns. Congress office bearers argued that the three major issues need to be settled immediately before the poll authority announces the results of Proportional Representation category of the House of Representatives.
According to ministers, the government has made preparations to appoint the provincial chiefs and to announce the provincial headquarters. A committee has decided the tentative places for temporary capitals, taking into view the required infrastructure in particular.
The meeting also reiterated the NC’s position that Deuba would step down after completing all the legal and constitutional requirements. Congress leaders anticipate protests over announcement of the provincial capitals in other regions that also want to host the headquarters. This calls for consensus among the major stakeholders.
“We must create an environment conducive to holding the National Assembly elections,” said senior NC leader Ram Chandra Poudel.