Another blow for Maoists, Speaker rejects motion against Prez

Kathmandu, May 30: In another setback to the Maoists who were pushed out of power in Nepal, Parliament Speaker Subhas Nembang today refused to allow a motion tabled by them against the President's move to block the sacking of the army chief by former premier Prachanda.

The Maoists said they will block Parliament to oppose the decision and press for the acceptance of the motion.

Prachanda had resigned as Prime Minister earlier this month following a dispute with President Ram Baran Yadav over the removal of army chief Gen Rukmangad Katwal, who was locked in a bitter months-long row with the Maoist-led government.

The motion was registered at the Parliament Secretariat by Maoists against the President's move to reinstate the sacked army chief. The Speaker's decision comes after almost all other political parties opposed it, terming it as unconstitutional. They maintained that such a motion cannot be brought against the President.

Speaker Nemwang told Parliament's Business Advisory Committee that the motion stands rejected. He said the decision has been taken based on constitutional, legal provisions and past practices. PTI