Almost all newspapers published in Kathmandu on Tuesday have given priority to reports about Forum Loktantrik’s merger with the Nepali Congress. Other important social and economic issues have also received attention.
Important
NC, Forum Loktantrik unite
Almost all newspapers have reports on their respective front pages on the successful unification between the Nepali Congress and the Bijay Kumar Gachchhadar-led Madheshi Janaadhikar Forum (Loktantrik). The Kathmandu Post, under its headline ‘A homecoming for Gachhadar’, says that 26 years ago when the first post-democracy restoration general elections were held in Nepal, Gachhadar contested the polls as a Nepali Congress candidate. Gachhadar left the Nepali Congress to join the Madheshi movement after 2006, but returned to the NC, the paper says. Kantipur says Gachchhadar became emotional while shaking hands with Congress President Deuba. The Himalayan Times has a similar report.
Nepal elected UNHRC member
Nepal was elected member of the UN Human Rights Council for the first time since the body’s creation in 2006, reports The Himalayan Times. The paper says Nepal’s term of office at UNHRC begins on January 1, 2018 and conclude on December 31, 2020. The Kathmandu Post says Nepal secured 166 votes, the highest in the Asia-Pacific group. Pakistan, Qatar and Afghanistan were also elected from the region.
‘Lot needs to be done before Xi’s visit to Nepal’
Following the conclusion of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, Nepal’s northern neighbour says it will increase high-level political exchanges with its neighbouring countries, Republica says in its report from Beijing. The paper quotes Yao Wen, counsellor of the Asian Affairs Department under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to say that Beijing believes China and Nepal still need to a lot before President Xi can visit Kathmandu.
Ignored
Govinda KC likely to reach agreement with govt
Activist Dr Govinda KC, who has been on a hunger strike demanding reforms in medical education, is likely to call off his protests later today, says Republica. The paper says that a final draft of the agreement between KC’s negotiators and the government is being prepared to address his demands.
Congress candidate arrested on smuggling charge
The Kathmandu Post says Man Bahadur Tamang of Rasuwa, who is a Nepali Congress PR candidate, was arrested in the capital with smuggled gold. According to Police, Tamang is also the chairman of Nepal-Kerung Business Association.
Interesting
178 ministers in four years
Naya Patrika says that during the four-year tenure of the recently-dissolved Parliament, 178 people were appointed ministers, ministers of state and assistant ministers on different occasions. The paper notes that 99 MPs elected under the FPTP system, 71 under the PR system and one nominated by the Council of ministers got to hold the ‘minister’ title. Similarly, eight non-MPs were also appointed ministers.
