Parties finally strike deal on Regmi-led govt; CA elections by June 21

Ending a protracted political uncertainty after the demise of the Constituent Assembly (CA) on May 27 last year, the four major political forces arrived at a formal agreement to form an election government under the leadership of Chief Justice Khil Raj Regm Thursday night.

Leaders of four major parties - UCPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and Madhesi Front - raising hands...

The UCPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and Madhesi Front signed an 11-point political agreement apart from 25 points on removing the constitutional hurdles to forming the CJ-led "interim electoral council". The top leaders of the four parties signed the deal after a marathon meeting of over 13 hours, starting from 8 am.

As per the agreement, the 11-member CJ-led council of ministers will be comprised of former special class civil servants.

Deputy Prime Minister and Maoist vice chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha said the parties have agreed to hold the Constituent Assembly elections by June 21. Likewise, they have agreed to provide citizenship certificates to the children of those who got Nepali citizenship by virtue of birth.

Similarly, the parties have agreed to give one Colonel and two Lt Colonel posts to the former combatants when they formally get integrated into the Nepal Army.

A cabinet meeting held after the signing of the agreement endorsed the draft and forwarded it to the President for his approval.

CJ Regmi is to be sworn in as the head of the council of ministers tomorrow morning. He was to be sworn in at midnight according to initial plan, but it was put off in the last minute citing time constraint. nepalnews.com