Newspapers, both Nepali and English, published from Kathmandu on Monday have given the topmost priority to the talks held between CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli and CPN-Maoist Centre Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal about preparations for the unification between two parties. Most newspapers say the talks concluded positively. Other contemporary political, economic and socio-cultural issues have also received significant attention.
Important
Roadblocks in UML-Maoist merger removed
The Kathmandu Post reports that Oli and Dahal have made an understanding which clears all roadblocks that were recently seen in the unification process. The concrete understanding, however, has not been made public as it is subject to the endorsement from the Party Unification Coordination Committee.
Nevertheless, the report adds that the two leaders agreed to keep UML’s people’s multiparty democracy and Maoist Centre’s people’s democracy in the 21st century as the unified party’s guiding principle. The Himalayan Times says if second rung leaders of the two parties do not create any obstacle, the two leaders will soon seal the deal.
Naya Patrika says the unification will be announced as soon as the President calls for the first meeting of Parliament. Only few technical issues have been left to be settled for the unification now, according to Gorkhapatra.
Rajdhani, however, has a different reporting as it claims Oli and Dahal have failed to iron out differences the two parties have.
Meanwhile, Dahal told Oli that his government would not join the government until the two parties signed the unification deal, according to Republica lead story. He, however, assured that his party would continue supporting the Oli government from outside, the report adds.
New picks for National Assembly
The government-run Gorkhapatra says the Cabinet meeting held on Sunday has withdrawn the decision taken by Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba-led government to recommend names of Krishna Prasad Paudel, Gopal Basnet and Chandani Joshi for the National Assembly. The meeting also picked three other persons for the positions, but the names have not been revealed yet.
Quoting Minister for Population and Environment, Lalbabu Pandit, the report says the names will be made public at an appropriate time.
Naya Patrika also has the similar story.
Ignored
Who will be new PM’s advisors?
The Kathmandu Post lead story for the day claims that the Cabinet meeting held yesterday also began discussions on potential advisors to the Prime Minister and the government as the new government wants to have a strong Prime Minister’s Office.
According to the report, UML leader Bishnu Rimal’s name has been floated as the Chief Political Advisor to the PM, whereas economist Yubaraj Khatiwada is likely to be appointed the Economic Advisor. Likewise, Rajan Bhattarai will be appointed the PM’s Foreign Affairs Advisor.
Nepal doesn’t have original copy of Sugauli Treaty
Nepal’s Department of Archaeology does not have the original copy of Sugauli Treaty the country signed with India in 1815, according to Rajdhani. The treaty holds a significant place in Nepal’s political development, however there is no official copy of it, according to the report.
Meanwhile, the Department Chief Saubhagya Pradhananga tells the newspaper that the office has been searching for the copy for a long time, but in vain.
Deuba won’t be elected NC PP leader unopposed
Naya Patrika lead story for the day says Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba wants to be elected the leader of parliamentary party, who will also enjoy state facilities as the main opposition leader. However, the rival factions in the party do not want to let him be elected unopposed.
From the Ram Chandra Paudel-led faction, two leaders have shown interest in the position. General Secretary Shashanka Koirala wants to lead the parliamentary party, but only if he will be elected unanimously. If there is election, Prakash Man Singh will file his candidacy against Deuba. However, the Paudel faction is much weaker than Deuba team in the parliamentary party, according to the report.
Interesting
FNCCI wants to celebrate ‘nation building decade’
The umbrella organisation of Nepali businesspersons, Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), has demanded that the country celebrate next 10 years as the ‘nation building decade’, writes Karobar in its anchor story for the day.
The organisation made public its 12-point statement yesterday and the document demands the announcement as it will boost economic activities all across the country, according to the report. On the occasion, FNCCI President Bhawani Rana said her organisation was ready to cooperate with the government for make the country prosperous.
