Date:21/06/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/21/stories/2008062199921000.htm

International

UML, Maoists sign pact on power sharing

Prerana Marasini

KATHMANDU: The Communist Party of Nepal (United Marxist-Leninist) and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) on Friday reached an agreement to back each other's candidates for various posts in the next government.

UML's general-secretary Jhalanath Khanal said a UML candidate had been proposed for the President's post, a Maoist candidate for Prime Minister and a Nepali Congress candidate as chairman of the Constituent Assembly.

Earlier, the Maoists had proposed UML leader Sahana Pradhan for the President's post. However, UML leaders prefer the party's former general-secretary, Madhav Kumar Nepal, for the post. On Thursday, UML leader Bamdev Gautam said it was certain that Mr. Nepal would become President.

The Maoists, on the other hand, have proposed their party chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal for the Prime Minister's post.

All the major parties have already agreed to elect a ceremonial President and an executive Prime Minister.

Debate over Koirala

The Maoists have officially conveyed they don't support Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala's candidature for the President's post. They have also demanded his resignation.

Mr. Koirala on Thursday hinted his party could sit in the opposition benches and said he would resign if the Seven-Party Alliance (SPA) asked him to do so.

Nepali Congress leaders are lobbying other party leaders to back Mr. Koirala for the President's post. On Friday, the former Prime Minister and Nepali Congress leader, Sher Bahadur Deuba, met Mr. Nepal, in this regard. But Mr. Nepal urged Mr. Deuba to support UML for the post.