Old Gentleman In Nepal was Quits

by Bishnu Budhathoki writes from Kathmandu

(June 27, Kathmandu, Sri Lanka Guardian) Nepal's Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala on Thursday announced his resignation at the Constituent Assembly (CA) that also functions as Legislature-Parliament meeting clearing the way for the CPN-(Maoist) to form a new government. Addressing the Parliamentary meeting at around 3.20 pm, the octogenarian Nepali Congress President and Prime Minister Koirala said, "I step down from the post of Prime Minister as per the constitutional provision. “However, his resignation will be approved once the Constituent Assembly, the supreme body of people's representatives, elects the first president of the federal democratic republic Nepal, who is yet to be elected.

At a time when the Maoist leaders, the former rebels, were criticising him stating that he was unwilling to give up the power even after facing defeat in the election, he announced to step down from the post inviting the CPN-(Maoist) to take immediate initiative to form a new government through consensus and as per the constitutional provision. Dubbing the CA/Parliament as the main platform to find the solution of all problems, Koirala said, "I want to drop my all grieves and burdens here."

Meanwhile, Maoists Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, alias Prachanda, who is all set to become the Prime Minister and lead the new government to be formed soon said, "Koirala's announcement is a positive move forward."

In order to form a new government with simple majority, the Maoists who have secured 218 seats in the CA, have to garner the support of CPN-UML or more than 85 members from the Madhes-based parties.

Reiterating the need of national consensus among political parties, Koirala said "It doesn't matter whether I am in power/post or not but I hope the politics of consensus, mutual cooperation, trust and unity, which I consider as the main strength of the country to safeguard national identity and integrity, should continue in future.”

Koirala, 85, was known as the chief architect of 2006 peace deal that successfully brought the former rebels into the mainstream politics by shunning a decade-long bloody insurgency, and declared the country a federal democratic republic state by abolishing the 239-year old monarchy from Nepal on May 28. Despite the fact, the Maoist have been trying to forge understanding with the CPN-UML and other parties for power-sharing in the new government, instead of accepting Koirala as new president of Nepal. However, Koirala said, "We have arrived at an important juncture after ending various problems and differences, however, there are still certain problems which still have to be addressed."
- Sri Lanka Guardian