Nepal power deal standoff continues

Three weeks since it ‘helped’ end Nepal’s seven-month-old political stalemate, the secret-deal for power, inked by chiefs of the two ruling parties, continues to pose problems.

Updated on: Feb 24, 2011, 02:12:24 IST

Hindustan Times | By Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu

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Three weeks since it ‘helped’ end Nepal’s seven-month-old political stalemate, the secret-deal for power, inked by chiefs of the two ruling parties, continues to pose problems.

Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist) and Maoists are still engaged in a tussle over its implementation and wording leaving PM Jhalanath Khanal in a bind.

The seven-point deal with Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachaanda’ helped Khanal become prime minister on February 3.

On Tuesday, the CPN (UML) central committee approved the deal with riders on contentious issues like formation of a separate security force comprising Maoist combatants and heading the government on rotational basis. Though the Maoists welcomed the move initially, the party took a different stance on Wednesday asking CPN (UML) to take a clear stand on the Khanal-Prachanda deal and abide by its “main spirit”.
Following a meeting between the parties on Wednesday, Maoist vice-chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha informed the party will discuss the issue and take an official stance on Thursday.

Prime Minister Khanal is facing severe criticism from some party colleagues who are opposing most points in the deal. There is also a tug-of-war between both parties over the home ministry. Maoists say Khanal had agreed to give this important ministry to them in return for supporting him to become the prime minister.

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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