Nepal opposition out to oust Bhattarai

Terming the government's move to announce fresh elections as unconstitutional, 27 opposition parties in Nepal on Friday launched a campaign to remove it from power.

Updated on: Jun 8, 2012, 23:38:29 IST

Hindustan Times | By Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu

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Terming the government's move to announce fresh elections as unconstitutional, 27 opposition parties in Nepal on Friday launched a campaign to remove it from power.

Led by Nepali Congress and Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist), they blamed the government for failing to promulgate the new constitution within deadline.

Thousands gathered at mass rally at Khulla Manch in the capital to kick-start the National Democratic Campaign aimed at opposing the government’s ‘unilateral’ move.

Severe differences among parties over federalism based on ethnicity led to dissolution of the CA on May 27 and Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai’s announcement of fresh elections in November.

“Difference over federalism wasn’t the reason for CA dissolution. It was Maoists conspiracy to retain power at all costs,” said NC vice-president Ram Chandra Paudel in his address.

He stressed that the peaceful protests would continue till the government is removed and a national unity government based on consensus among all parties takes its place.

Nepal is witnessing political vacuum and constitutional crisis following dissolution of the CA, which failed to deliver a new statute despite four extensions to its two-year tenure.

President Ram Baran Yadav has termed the present government as caretaker and most opposition parties have refused to take part in the elections.

While ruling Maoists and Madhesi parties want single ethnicity-based federal states, opposition parties like NC and CPN (UML) want states to be restructured on basis of multiple-ethnicity.

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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