CPN-UML meets allies, Madheshis ask PM to stop Parl blockade

Kathmandu, May 12:Seeking to break the political deadlock in Nepal, opposition CPN-UML today held consultations with possible allies on a common programme for a coalition as the Madheshi parties asked Maoist chief Prachanda to stop the blocking of parliamentary proceedings by his lawmakers.

Nepal is in the grip of a crisis after Prachanda resigned as premier last week after a dispute with President Ram Baran Yadav over the firing of army chief General Rukmangad Katawal.

The CPN-UML says that it has the numbers to cobble together a coalition with support of Nepali Congress, Madhesi groups and smaller parties. However, the Maoists' blocking of parliamentary proceedings on the issue of Katawal's sacking has obstructed the process of forming a new government.

The Joint Madhesi Democratic Front, the grouping of three ethnic-Indian Madheshi parties with a combined strength 83 seats, called on Prachanda at his residence here and told him that Maoist lawmakers should not obstruct parliament.

"We have asked the (caretaker) Prime Minister to stop blocking the functioning of the Parliament as we want to resolve the standoff through Parliament itself," said Jitendra Dev, central member of MPRF.

"The Maoists should not block the process of forming an alternative government," the leaders of the three parties -- MPRF, Terai Madhes Democratic Party and Sadbhavana Party -- told Prachanda, he said. PTI