Broadsheet dailies published in Kathmandu on Friday have given priority to a range of political, social and economic issues on their front pages. The presidential elections and negotiations between Forum Nepal and the Left Alliance are some of the issues most newspapers have prioritised. Here’s a summary of important, ignored and interesting stories that made it to the front pages of the press today:
Important
Bhandari, Pun likely to be re-elected
The Left Alliance wants to re-elect Bidya Devi Bhandari to the post of President, reports in the press today say. The news comes just a few days after the Election Commission made public the schedule for the polls, Annapurna Post reports. The paper quotes sources to say that although the UML’s Jhalanath Khanal and Maoist Centre’s Amik Sherchan had expressed their interest for the position, the Left Alliance is likely to retain Bhandari as President. The Election Commission has set March 7 as the date for political parties to file their nominations for the post.
Who will Congress field against Bhandari
Although the Election Commission has already published its schedule for the presidential elections, the Nepali Congress has not decided who is going to be its candidate for the post. Janata Post says that the Congress’ Parliamentary Party meeting has been scheduled for March 5. The report says that a candidate could be named after the parliamentary party elects its leader.
Forum-Nepal prepares to join Cabinet
The Upendra Yadav-led Forum Nepal is preparing to join the KP Oli Cabinet, Naya Patrika repirts. According to the report, the party and the Left Alliance are likely to sign an agreement to this effect soon. The paper says that the UML wants to include Forum Nepal in the Cabinet to consolidate its two-thirds majority in Parliament.
Nagarik daily says that the two forces are yet to reach an agreement on the sharing of ministerial portfolios. While the Left Alliance wants to give Forum Nepal three ministerial berths, Forum has been demanding for three.
Oli faces tough challenge in own party to name ministers
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is feeling the heat as he prepares to name his ministers from his own party. Naya Patrika says that UML leaders Pradeep Gyawali, Surendra Pandey, Yogesh Bhattrai and Gokarna Bista are the front-runners to be named ministers. Gyawali is, however, unlikely to make the cut as the Left Alliance is preparing to give two ministerial berths to Forum Nepal. The Prime Minister is under immense pressure to pick Pandey as one his ministers.
Meanwhile, the Maoists are likely to name Barsaman Pun, Janardan Sharma, Shakti Basnet Giriraj Mani Pokhrel and Bina Magar as its new ministers. According to the paper, both the UML and the Maoists will have to give-up one-each portfolio to accommodate Forum Nepal.
Ignored
Lawmakers claim Rs 100,000 each even before relevant law is made
Kantipur reports that lawmakers in the Karnali Province (Province 6) have claimed Rs 100,000 each in advance as their salary even before the provincial assembly made legal provisions for the lawmakers’ pay and perks.
According to the provincial assembly’s secretariat, more than 30 lawmakers have already claimed the amount. The secretariat said that the amount was made available for the lawmakers to manage their accommodation in Birendranagar
Interesting
Prime Minister’s Office to have a minister
Annapurna Post reports that the government is preparing to make arranagements for a minister to look after the daily affairs of the Office of the Prime Minister. The reports says that such practice has already been adopted in Malaysia, Australia and Canada.
