Nepal political uncertainty continues

Three weeks after Nepal was declared a republic, political parties are still struggling to resolve political issues, delaying the formation of a government.

The political future of the impoverished Himalayan nation continues to be uncertain as the three major political parties --- the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), Nepali Congress and Communist Party of Nepal (UML) — on Wednesday failed to forge an agreement on power sharing in the future government.

A series of consultations was held at the Prime Minister's official residence at Baluwatar in Kathmandu to reach a consensus. The parties, however, continued to stick to their demands and showed no signs of compromise. Observers say present political crisis has projected Nepal in poor light.

The Maoists, which emerged as the largest political party, are still unable to strike any agreement on the first president of republic Nepal. The Nepali Congress is adamant that Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala should be the first president, while the Maoists are keen to have an apolitical person.

Besides, the Nepali Congress and the CPN (UML) not only want the Maoists to disassociate itself from the People's Liberation Army (PLA) but also ban the military wing of the radical communist outfit before the government formation.

Several members of the CA criticised the leaders of the major political parties for holding the country hostage to fulfill their demands. "They are fighting for posts of president and ministers instead of writing a new constitution, for which people have mandated them,” said Shyam Sunder Gupta of the Nepal Sadbhawana Party (Anandi Devi).