The Hindu : Front Page : Maoists set to rejoin government

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Sunday, Dec 30, 2007
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Maoists set to rejoin government

Kathmandu: The Maoists in Nepal are set to rejoin the government after the interim Parliament voted to abolish the 238-year old monarchy, a key demand of the former rebels which had led to a political deadlock in the country.

“Although we were prepared to rejoin the government today [Friday], the scheduled meeting between Prachanda and Girija Prasad Koirala couldn’t take place due to the parliamentary session and has been rescheduled for tomorrow morning,” said deputy Maoists leader Baburam Bhattarai.

Maoists Chairman Prachanda is scheduled to hold a meeting with Prime Minister Koirala in this connection ahead of the CPN-Maoist rejoining the government, the Kantipur online reported on Saturday. Mr. Bhattarai said all the former Maoist Ministers, who had walked out of the government on September 18, will return to the Cabinet, including Matrika Prasad Yadav.

Mr. Yadav had left the government long before his colleagues, protesting against the “authoritarian style” of the Prime Minister.

“We may send one or two new faces as Ministers of state,” Mr. Bhattarai was quoted as saying by the report.

Senior leader Krishna Bahadur Mahara will lead the Maoist team in the government. Other members will include Dev Gurung, Hisila Yami and Khadka Bahadur Biswokarma.

The Maoist Ministers will take charge of their old portfolios, the report said.

Parliament on Friday passed an amendment to the interim Constitution, stating that Nepal would become a federal democratic republic after the Constituent Assembly poll scheduled to be held by mid-April 2008.

A “people’s movement” in April 2006 forced King Gyanendra to restore Parliament, which later stripped him of most of his powers. — PTI

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