Parties miss deadline for unity govt

Doors open for majority government under Article 38(2).The four big political parties today failed to meet the President’s extended deadline to form a national unity government, as they could not reach a final understanding on major issues including Common Minimum Programme (CMP), power-sharing, code of conduct and creating environment of ... ...among the parties.With the parties failing to form a national unity government under Article 38 (1) of interim constitution, they will have now pursue the path of government formation under Article 38 (2) on majority basis.President Dr Ram Baran Yadav had on Tuesday extended the deadline by three days for the formation of a national unity government under Article 38 (1) of the interim constitution, after a joint request of the CPN-Maoist, Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and the Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum (MJF) for extension.The President had asked the parties to recommend a name for the post of Prime Minister by 8 pm today.Emerging from today’s meeting, Maoist chairman Prachanda said they failed to meet the deadline extended by the President though they had almost reached consensus on several key issues.“As we have missed the presidential deadline, the post-election government will be formed under the Article 38 (2) of the interim constitution. But it should not be construed that we have failed to reach a consensus,” Prachanda said, adding that the government could still be elected “unopposed” in the House.He conceded that they were yet to reach an agreement on CMP and ministerial portfolios. He, however, expressed confidence that the new government would be formed under his leadership. The parties are scheduled to meet tomorrow again.MJF coordinator Upendra Yadav said it was still unclear who would be leading the new government.UML general secretary Jhala Nath Khanal said they could not finalise the ministerial portfolios. He said although they failed to meet the deadline set by the President, there were still chances that the major parties could form the unity government on political basis, if not under the given constitutional Clause.NC vice president Ram Chandra Poudel said although they had almost reached consensus on most of the issues, they still needed time to give a final touch to CMP, power-sharing and measures to create environment of trust among the parties.NC also set five pre-conditions before the Maoists for the formation of the unity government.

Add to: del.icio.us | Digg