Maoists refuse to join new govt

Exactly a week after voting communist leader Jhalanath Khanal to the prime minister’s post, Maoists in Nepal sprang another surprise on Thursday by deciding not to join the new government.

Updated on: Feb 11, 2011, 24:46:02 IST

Hindustan Times | By Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu

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Exactly a week after voting communist leader Jhalanath Khanal to the prime minister’s post, Maoists in Nepal sprang another surprise on Thursday by deciding not to join the new government.

The move follows bickering between Maoists and Khanal’s party, Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist), over sharing of portfolios.

The Maoists were demanding the home ministry as part of a secret deal signed between Khanal and Maoist chief Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ prior to the prime minister election last week.

But since CPN (UML) refused to let go of it, Maoists decided to stay out of the government. The party, the largest in parliament, would continue supporting the government from outside.

“Since CPN (UML) has showed unwillingness to go ahead with the deal, we decided to not to join the government,” said Maoist vice-chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha.

During earlier meetings on power sharing, both parties had agreed to distribute 19 ministries among themselves and allocate the rest seven to other parties joining the coalition.

Amid the ongoing tussle, Khanal expanded his one-man-government on Thursday by including party colleagues Bharat Mohan Adhikari, Bishnu Poudel and Gangalal Tuladhar in cabinet.

While Adhikari will take charge as the new Deputy Prime Minister, portfolios of the other ministers will be allotted later.

The new ministers were administered oath of office by Khanal in presence of President Ram Baran Yadav at a brief function held at Shital Niwas, the president’s official residence.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utpal Parashar
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More

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