Posted by: Yesai May 3, 2009
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Prez blocks action against CoAS
Constitutional coup: Maoists
GHANASHYAM OJHA
(Updated with details of president´s letter, 0010 NST, 1925 GMT)
KATHMANDU, May 3: President Dr Ram Baran Yadav in his capacity as the Supreme Commander of the Nepali Army late on Sunday evening sent an official letter to Army Chief Rookmangud Katawal to continue in his post, defying his dismissal orders by Prime Minister Puspa Kamal Dahal.
In his letter, the President said, "Since the dismissal of the Army Chief and the new appointment do not meet the constitutional criteria and due process, I hereby direct you to continue as the chief of the Nepali Army."
The president sent the letter to Katawal late in the evening in response to a written request by 18 political parties in the parliament, including major partners in the current coalition government and the main opposition Nepali Congress, to protect the constitution and block action against the Army Chief. " The president intervened since the parties commanding majority in the parliament requested for his intervention to defend the constitution," said a source at the President´s Office.
The parties had asked for the president´s intervention ´to restore the constitutional supremacy´ and to nullify the government´s dismissal of the top army general.
A meeting of the parties held at the central office of the ruling Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) at Balkhu on Sunday evening urged the president to exercise constitutional authority against the implementation of the Maoists´ unilateral decision.
The parties, following the meeting, went to the president´s residence at Shital Niwas to seek the president´s intervention.
Reacting to the president´s unprecedented move Finance Minister and senior Maoist leader Dr Babu Ram Bhattarai said, "This is a constitutional coup against an elected government." He also alleged that there was an attempt to establish the president as a parallel power centre and that the peace process had effectively come to an end.
Bhattarai also said the Maoists would not quit the government as it was elected by the people. "Instead we will protest the move from the government, parliament and street," he said.
Earleir, a joint press statement issued by the 18 parties said, "The Maoists violated the norms of the interim constitution and the spirit of the peace process, including the Comprehensive Peace Accord by taking unilateral decision."
It also said the Maoists violated the constitutional provision of consensual politics by ignoring the suggestion of the ruling and opposition parties. "We strongly oppose the Maoists´ decision and conclude to draw the president´s attention to the issue," said the press statement, signed by UML, Madhesi Peoples´ Rights Forum and CPN (United) and other parties including the main opposition Nepali Congress.
Emerging out of the meeting with the president, General Secretary of Nepali Congress Bimalendra Nidhi said Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal should immediately resign as the coalition partners had withdrawn their support to the government.
"The Maoists should allow the process of the formation of a new government. The Prime Minister should understand that he has lost the mandate to head the government and he should facilitate the formation of a new government," Nidhi said.
UML standing committee member Bidhya Bhandari, however, said "We are still in favor of consensual politics. The Maoists must revoke their decision of sacking the Army Chief to start a process of consensual politics."
Bhandari said a broader political consultation is further required to find a way out of the current political crisis. UML ministers have already resigned from the government.
Published on 2009-05-03 23:08:05
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Prez Blocks Action Against CoAS
Constitutional Coup: Maoists
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Constitutional coup: Maoists
GHANASHYAM OJHA
(Updated with details of president´s letter, 0010 NST, 1925 GMT)
KATHMANDU, May 3: President Dr Ram Baran Yadav in his capacity as the Supreme Commander of the Nepali Army late on Sunday evening sent an official letter to Army Chief Rookmangud Katawal to continue in his post, defying his dismissal orders by Prime Minister Puspa Kamal Dahal.
In his letter, the President said, "Since the dismissal of the Army Chief and the new appointment do not meet the constitutional criteria and due process, I hereby direct you to continue as the chief of the Nepali Army."
The president sent the letter to Katawal late in the evening in response to a written request by 18 political parties in the parliament, including major partners in the current coalition government and the main opposition Nepali Congress, to protect the constitution and block action against the Army Chief. " The president intervened since the parties commanding majority in the parliament requested for his intervention to defend the constitution," said a source at the President´s Office.
The parties had asked for the president´s intervention ´to restore the constitutional supremacy´ and to nullify the government´s dismissal of the top army general.
A meeting of the parties held at the central office of the ruling Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) at Balkhu on Sunday evening urged the president to exercise constitutional authority against the implementation of the Maoists´ unilateral decision.
The parties, following the meeting, went to the president´s residence at Shital Niwas to seek the president´s intervention.
Reacting to the president´s unprecedented move Finance Minister and senior Maoist leader Dr Babu Ram Bhattarai said, "This is a constitutional coup against an elected government." He also alleged that there was an attempt to establish the president as a parallel power centre and that the peace process had effectively come to an end.
Bhattarai also said the Maoists would not quit the government as it was elected by the people. "Instead we will protest the move from the government, parliament and street," he said.
Earleir, a joint press statement issued by the 18 parties said, "The Maoists violated the norms of the interim constitution and the spirit of the peace process, including the Comprehensive Peace Accord by taking unilateral decision."
It also said the Maoists violated the constitutional provision of consensual politics by ignoring the suggestion of the ruling and opposition parties. "We strongly oppose the Maoists´ decision and conclude to draw the president´s attention to the issue," said the press statement, signed by UML, Madhesi Peoples´ Rights Forum and CPN (United) and other parties including the main opposition Nepali Congress.
Emerging out of the meeting with the president, General Secretary of Nepali Congress Bimalendra Nidhi said Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal should immediately resign as the coalition partners had withdrawn their support to the government.
"The Maoists should allow the process of the formation of a new government. The Prime Minister should understand that he has lost the mandate to head the government and he should facilitate the formation of a new government," Nidhi said.
UML standing committee member Bidhya Bhandari, however, said "We are still in favor of consensual politics. The Maoists must revoke their decision of sacking the Army Chief to start a process of consensual politics."
Bhandari said a broader political consultation is further required to find a way out of the current political crisis. UML ministers have already resigned from the government.
Published on 2009-05-03 23:08:05
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Prez Blocks Action Against CoAS
Constitutional Coup: Maoists
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