Political crisis in Nepal shows signs of easing

The 10-day long political crisis in Nepal showed signs of easing on Thursday with CPN-UML leader Madhav Nepal garnering signatures of 290 lawmakers, just 11 short for a simple majority, even as the Maoists asserted that no new coalition could be formed without their backing.

The 10-day long political crisis in Nepal showed signs of easing on Thursday with CPN-UML leader Madhav Nepal garnering signatures of 290 lawmakers, just 11 short for a simple majority, even as the Maoists asserted that no new coalition could be formed without their backing.

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With a written support of 290 members, the CPN-UML leader is just short of 11 members to prove his majority in the 601-member Constituent Assembly, which has been deadlocked by blockade imposed by Maoists after the resignation of Prime Minister Prachanda.

"Our party's candidate Madhav Kumar Nepal has got the support of all parties except the Unified CPN-Maoist and a small Leftist party," UML Central Committee member Shanker Pokharel said.

He said his party would be able to prove its majority on the floor of the House even if the Madhesi People's Rights Forum doesn't support the UML.

"Two Madhesi parties -- Terai Madhes Democratic Party with 21 seats and Sadbhavana Party, which has nine seats, have extended support to Madhav Nepal," he told PTI.

CPN-Maoist leader Mohan Vaidya 'Kiran' said though his party was not in the race for heading a new government, but asserted that no new coalition could be formed without their backing.