NEPAL: News Briefs
"China concerned over foreign interference in Nepal", says Mohan Vaidya: Mohan Vaidya, 'chairman' of the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-Maoist), a breakaway faction of Unified Communist Party of Nepal -Maoist (UCPN-Maoist), who has just returned from a 'goodwill visit' to China, said that China is concerned over the growing "foreign interference" in Nepal in the pretext of adopting federalism in the country. He said, "The Chinese leaders have expressed concern over the increasing foreign interference in Nepal in the pretext of federating the states." PTI, July 28, 2012.
UCPN-M seeks consent of opposition parties for fixing a new poll date in 2013: Admitting that holding fresh polls for the Constituent Assembly (CA) in November was not possible under the present circumstances, ruling Unified Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (UCPN-M) leaders, including Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai, have sought the consent of opposition parties for fixing a new poll date in the coming year. But leaders from main opposition parties Nepali Congress (NC) and Communist Party of Nepal- Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML), at a three-party meeting on July 25, turned down the UCPN-M proposal outright. Myrepublica, July 26, 2012.
CPN-UML Janajati leaders relieved of responsibilities: The Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) relieved around a dozen Janajati (indigenous people) leaders of their responsibilities for what it termed their "non-compliance with the party's official position on federalism" and for remaining absent in party meetings for a long time. However, the leaders will continue to hold their party posts until another decision is taken, according to party leaders. ekantipur, July 20, 2012.
Gyanendra Shah wants to be king again: Nepal's last monarch Gyanendra Shah has said he wants to be the king again. Shah expressed his desire in an interview to a private television channel. Shah's claim rests on what he says was a private agreement with the leaders of political parties on April 24, 2006, the final day of the People's Movement. On that night, after 19 days of street protests, the king conceded that sovereignty lay with the people, not the crown, and accepted the roadmap of the political parties to bring about peace and democracy. The Constituent Assembly (CA) had abolished the monarchy at its first sitting in May 2008.. The Hindu, July 11, 2012.
Baidya describes his party as 'third force': Chairman of the newly formed Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist, Mohan Baidya (CPN-Maoist, Mohan Baidya) has described his party as the "third force", claiming that it was capable of leading the nation. Speaking during a book launch in the capital on July 7, Baidya said his party emerged as the third force in order to give an outlet to the political deadlock. He, however, did not explain on what basis his party could claim third position. Nepal News, July 9, 2012.
Nepal Army starts integration of former Maoist combatants: Nepal Army (NA) started integration process of former Maoist combatants from July 4 as per the decision of Army Integration Special Committee (AISC) and direction of the Government. According to NA spokesperson Ramindra Chhetri, a NA team reached all seven Army monitored People's Liberation Army (PLA) cantonments accompanied by representative of Public Service Commission to start the process. Meanwhile, leaders of 22 opposition political parties jointly met President Ram Baran Yadav at Shital Niwas, requesting him to not to approve the budget to be presented by the Maoist-Madheshi Government. Nepal News, July 5, 2012.
[Source: SATP]
