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From the Kathmandu Press: Friday, October 6, 2017

Almost all broadsheet dailies published in Kathmandu on Friday have given prominence to the fallout of Nepal’s biggest communist parties’ decision to forge an electoral alliance and then enter into a merger after the elections in December. The leftist unity has created waves not only in Nepal, but also in neighbouring countries India and Sri Lanka, whose heads of government were scheduled to visit Kathmandu in the near future.

Important

Modi, Sirisena shelve plans to visit Nepal

Annapurna Post says that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was scheduled to visit Nepal later this month has put his plans on hold ‘in view of the political developments in Nepal’. Similarly, the BIMSTEC Summit, scheduled for November, has also been postponed for an indefinite period. The paper quotes ambassador Deep Kumar Upadhyay to say that the Nepali envoy in Delhi met Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday night and Swaraj proposed that the visit be put on hold. Similarly, Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, who was also planning to come to Kathmandu in October to mark the 60th anniversary of bilateral ties, has also deferred his visit plans.

Deuba’s dilemma

After the ruling coalition partner Maoist Centre decided to team up with the main opposition, the UML, in the upcoming elections, the Prime Minister has been in a dilemma. He is reported to be thinking about kicking the Maoist ministers out from his Cabinet as retaliation against the leftist unification bid. Annapurna Post says the Prime Minister is under pressure from his party to relieve the Maoist ministers of their jobs. It says that the Prime Minister is thinking of inducting Upendra Yadav’s and Kamal Thapa’s parties into the government to retain a simple majority. Nagarik and  Republica also report that the Prime Minister is looking at his options. The Kathmandu Post quotes senior Congress leaders as saying that they believe the Maoist Centre has lost moral and political ground to stay in government.  The Himalayan Times, in its lead story, says NC leaders have advised Deuba not to trust the Maoists. Naya Patrika says the left alliance is concentrating on the elections and as the government will be reduced to care-taker status from October 22, they believe that it is not necessary to topple the government.

Upendra is spoilt for choices

 

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Federal Socialist Forum Nepal’s Upendra Yadav, who leads the fourth largest political party in Parliament, has been spoilt for choices when it comes to choosing an electoral alliance. Republica says the Nepali Congress wants Yadav in its camp so that the ruling coalition can retain its simple majority in Parliament. Similarly, the left also wants Yadav to join its alliance as his party can fill the vacuum the left has in the Terai. Yadav, however, has been non-committal and still hasn’t revealed all his cards.

Similarly, the Election Commission’s move to seek clarification from Minister Jitendra Dev and NRA CEO Govinda Pokharel, and Dr Govinda KC’s launching of his 13th hunger strike have also received attention.

 

Ambassadors brief House committee

Nepal’s envoys to Delhi, Beijing and Washington interacted with members of Parliament’s International Relations and Labour Committee. Kantipur says the three envoys stressed that major political parties in Nepal should reach a consensus on issues of foreign policy. Foreign Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara, who was also present at the meeting, said that Nepal now needs to rethink its seven-decade-long foreign policy. He also briefed the House panel on the ‘diplomatic lapse’ in New York when Mahara was not allowed to meet Trump because of technical reasons.

Ignored

Hydro projects damaged by quake await reconstruction

Karobar, in its lead story for the day, says that most of hydropower projects in Sindhupalchowk district damaged in the 2015 quakes have not been fully repaired.  According to the report, this has left 72 MW of installed capacity unutilised in the district.

Former NOC boss in one more controversy

NOC Executive Director Gopal Bahadur Khadka

Former Nepal Oil Corporation boss Gopal Bahadur Khadka, who was recently fired by the government, was allegedly involved in embezzling millions of rupees in the procurement of ATF, Nagarik reports. The paper reports that Khadka embezzled over Rs 30 million over the period of two years.

Interesting

Kathmandu consumed goats worth Rs 1 billion in Dashain

Karobar reports that Kathmanduites consumed goats and mountain goats worth over Rs 1 billion during Dashain, Nepal’s biggest Hindu festival. It says that over 70,000 goats and mountain goats were slaughtered in Kathmandu in the 15 days.

 

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