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UML-led coalition submits 350 signatures to Speaker, deck clear for MK Nepal to become PM
The UML-led coalition has submitted 350 signatures of lawmakers to Speaker Subas Nemwang for formation of a majority government under the leadership of senior UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal.
Altogether 22 political parties including Nepali Congress, Madhesi Janadhikar Forum, Terai Madhesh Loktantrik Party, Nepal Sadbhawana Party, Rastriya Prajatantra Party and CPN-United have extended their support to UML to form the new government. Only two others, Unified CPN (Maoist) and Nepal Workers and Peasants' Party (NWPP), have not signed in favor of Nepal.
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A team comprising UML chairman Jhala Nath Khanal, NC senior leader Sher
Bahadur Deuba, MJF leaders Bijaya Gachchhadar and J.P Gupta met Nemwang at the latter's office at the Parliament Secretariat, Singha Durbar and submitted the signatures.
They also urged the Speaker to initiate necessary procedures in the House to form the new government.
The UML-led alliance submitted the signatures hours after parliamentary party leader of the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar submitted the signatures of thirty-two MJF lawmakers to the CPN-UML expressing his party's commitment to support the CPN-UML to form the next government. Although the remaining MJF lawmakers - who belong to the faction led by party chairman Upendra Yadav - have pledged support to the UML-led government, they did not submit their signatures in favor of UML-led government.
Receiving the signatures, the Speaker assured that he will soon call the meeting of the legislature-parliament and push ahead the process of government formation.
Nemwang also expressed hope that with the submission of the signatures for the formation of majority government it will be easy to push ahead the constitution drafting process which has been delayed due to repeated obstructions in the House.
The speaker is expected to hold consultations with various political parties till today evening to decide on the date for the meeting of the legislature-parliament where he will invite the UML-led coalition to form the next government.
However, the Maoist lawmakers have repeatedly obstructed the House proceedings protesting the President's move to reinstate the Army chief. They have said they will continue to disrupt House sessions until the move which they claim is "unconstitutional" is rectified.
But last week constitutional experts advised NC and UML leaders to garner support of the lawmakers for their government through a signature campaign and submit it to the House speaker Subash Nemwang, who will then use his residual rights to remove any obstruction that exists in government formation
With comfortable majority on his side, UML senior leader MK Nepal is all set to become the new Prime Minister. nepalnews.com May 17 09