[Marxism] Nepal Updates: May 23: New PM from CPN(UML) Elected

[Sukla Sen <suklasenp@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

[Quote
Meanwhile, speaking in the House at the start of the session, 
deputyÂparliamentary leader of the Unified CPN (Maoist Narayankaji Shrestha 
saidÂthe new government was being installed at the behest of 
imperialists,Âexpansionists and the status-quoit forces by crushing civilian 
supremacy..
Unquote

Evidently, we have some novel/creative definition of "civilian supremacy"
here.

And as regards "imperialists, expansionists", it'd be worthwhile to recallÂthe 
following:
Quote
Well, we expected that India would take a consistent position in favour 
ofÂcivilian supremacy because of its own traditions and because it 
hadÂsupported the struggle for democracy here. In fact, I want to make it 
clearÂthat before taking any action against Katawal, I told the Indian 
Ambassador,ÂRakesh Sood, that if it is possible, could you please send a 
message that I
want to have a serious discussion on this issue and if either the 
foreignÂsecretary or some other senior person can come here to talk. We knew 
someÂconfusion is there between the Maoist-led government and India on 
thisÂquestion. I wanted to settle this issue through interaction and 
discussionÂwith high-level officials from Delhi. But unfortunately, the 
ambassadorÂinformed me that this cannot happen now because the election 
campaign is
going on, that nobody is there, that it is very difficult.
Unquote
[Source: <http://www.hindu.com/2009/05/11/stories/2009051154600900.htm>.]

That's excerpted from an interview given by Prachanda to a senior
Indian journalist who is a consistent and zealous supporter.

So Prachanda expected India to take a position on Nepal's internal strife,Âand 
that too in a manner consistent with India's earlier track record.. ThereÂis 
nothing implicit about it. He is perfectly explicit.
And, not only that, Prachanda "wanted to settle this issue through 
interactionÂand discussion with high-level officials from Delhi". And made all 
theÂpossible attempts. He himself is telling. But "unfortunately" that did 
notÂfructify.
The caption of the interview, in original quote marks: âIndia should 
haveÂdefended civilian supremacy in Nepalâ.

However, the (interim) parliament which must function as the 
ConstituentÂAssembly as well just cannot function without some broad consensus.
And the tricky question of control over and restructuring of the armedÂforces 
would continue to be the central issue. This is just not going toÂdissolve 
into thin air. By no means.]

http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2009/may/may23/news08.php

Madhav Kumar Nepal is new PM

The legislature-parliament elected CPN (UML) leader Madhav Kumar Nepal as
the new Prime Minister of the country on Saturday.

Backed by 21 parties, Nepal was elected unopposed as no other candidates
filed nomination for the post. Maoist lawmakers walked out of the parliament
hall, boycotting the election process. CPN (Unified) and Nepali Janata Dal
also stayed away from the election process.

Leaders of the coalition partners gathered at the parliament congratulated
Nepal as soon as the Speaker declared him elected.

Nepali Congress president tabled the proposal in the House in favour of
Nepal as the new Prime Minister while UML chairman Jhala Nath Khanal,
Madhesi Janadhikar Forum's Bijay Kumar Gachchhadar and Terai Madhesh
Loktantrik Party chairman Mahantha Thakur, Sadbhawana Party chairman
Rajendra Mahato supported the proposal, among others.

Resignation of Pushpa Kamal Dahal as the Prime Minister following a rift
among the ruling parties over the government decision to sack army chief led
to the formation of the new government. The Maoist party has said it would
continue protest in the parliament and the street unless the President's
'constitutional' move is rectified.

Nepal, the former general secretary of the UML, is the third communist Prime
Minister of the country after late Manmohan Adhikari and Pushpa Kamal Dahal..
He was deputy prime minister in the minority government of the UML in 2052
B.S.

He remained the uncontested general secretary of the UML for nearly 16 years
after the death of then general secretary Madan Bhandari in a mysterious
road accident in 2050 B.S. Nepal resigned from the post after the defeat of
UML as well as his own in the Constituent Assembly elections last year.

Nepal was later nominated as the CA member under proportional seat vacated
by a UML nominee and was subsequently appointed as the head of the
Constitutional Committee.

The composition of the new cabinet is yet to be finalised. Nepali Congress,
Madhesi Janadhikar Forum, Terai Madhesh Loktantrik Party, Sadbhawana Party
are set to join the government, but other are yet to decide whether to
participate in it.

Meanwhile, speaking in the House at the start of the session, deputy
parliamentary leader of the Unified CPN (Maoist) Narayankaji Shrestha said
the new government was being installed at the behest of imperialists,
expansionists and the status-quoit forces by crushing civilian supremacy.

He said his party would not support the new government but, as the
opposition party, will play strong role in writing the new constitution and
brining the peace process to a conclusion.
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