Paudel's withdrawal a must for fresh process

REPUBLICA

KATHMANDU, Sept 21: Speaker Subas Nembang has said the ongoing prime ministerial election in parliament cannot be terminated until Nepali Congress candidate Ram Chandra Paudel withdraws his candidacy.

Nembang said this to UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Monday when the latter inquired him if ending the ongoing election process was possible through amending the related provision in the parliamentary regulations.
Nembang and Dahal held a meeting at the latter´s residence at Nayabazaar, Monday morning.

According to sources, Maoist chairman discussed the matter with the speaker after some legal experts told Dahal that a fresh start to election was possible by ending the ongoing one. It is learnt that experts had suggested to Dahal to propose to summon special session of parliament to amend to the regulations.

The speaker said amending the regulations is not possible while the election process is still under way as that would directly affect the voting. "Withdrawal of Paudel´s candidacy is a must for amending the regulations and starting the prime ministerial election afresh."

After listening to the speaker, Dahal did not press him any further.

A provision in the Interim Constitution says, if, during the prorogation or recess of the session or meeting of the Legislature-Parliament, at least one-fourth of the total number of the then members of the House make a petition that it is expedient to convene a session or meeting, the prime minister shall, no later than within 15 days, convene such a session or meeting by specifying the date and time for the same.

Opposition parties sometimes demand special meeting of parliament as they can propose the business for the House in such a session.

A legal expert said the provision was put in the constitution to summon special parliament meeting particularly if there is a serious crisis in the country.

Though Dahal, after reaching a three-point agreement with CPN-UML, announced in public that he would withdraw his prime ministerial candidacy, the Maoist party has not officially informed the Parliament Secretariat about the decision.

Sources privy to top Maoist leaders said the latter are for officially pulling out from the race only after consulting Nepali Congress and Madhes-based parties, among others.

"They will implement the agreement either by remaining absent or adopting other ways in the upcoming voting that is scheduled for September 26 even if they don´t withdraw Dahal´s candidacy before that date," the source said.

"They are still holding discussions and consultations for finding the best option." Sources said Maoist leaders would prefer to withdraw the candidacy together with Paudel if possible.