All major Nepali and English broadsheet dailies published from Kathmandu on Wednesday have given the most significant attention to contemporary political issues including preparations of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to expand the Cabinet after signing a merger deal with the CPN-Maoist Centre, as well as the next course of action about the proposed unification between two major communist parties of the country. The appointment of three National Assembly members and a protest of the Nepali Congress against the decision have also received significant coverage.
Few other social and economic issues have also been highlighted.
Important
Cabinet expansion likely today
Major newspapers report that the CPN-UML Chairman is most likely to expand his Cabinet today incorporating leaders from the UML and the Maoist Centre as ministers. Whereas the constitution has set a limit of 25 members in the federal government, Oli is trying to limit the number below 20, according to Kantipur. Aspirants in both the parties have expedited lobbying to secure their ministerial berths, the report adds.
The two parties will also make efforts to include Madhesh-centric political forces too into the Cabinet in order to make the government inclusive and command a two-third majority in Parliament, according to The Himalayan Times.
Meanwhile, The Himalayan Times and Naya Patrika report that the government is preparing to restructure ministries and create 18 portfolios in total. Though a high-level commission had earlier recommended that there be only 15 ministries created, Oli is in the mood to modify the structure in order to accommodate three more leaders, according to them.
Nagarik says Nepal will have the first majority government consisting of only communist parties for the first time in the country’s political history.
Formal announcement of UML-Maoist merger ‘soon’
Following the final agreement to unify the parties, newspaper reports have different predictions about the date of announcement of merger between the UML and the Maoist Centre. While Naya Patrika hopes that the unification will take place within next three weeks, Republica lead story for the day says it will take one month.
Meanwhile, The Kathmandu Post and Naya Patrika report that the unified party is unlikely to get the name they proposed from the Election Commission, for a party named Communist Party of Nepal is already registered at the constitutional body. According to Clause 6 (1E) of the Act on Political Parties, a party cannot be registered if its name and election symbol match with that of other parties already registered.
Rajdhani in its lead story explains the seven-point agreement the two parties signed for the merger, according to which Oli will be the prime minister for a full term of five years whereas Dahal will share the chairmanship with Oli for initial two years. After two years, a general convention will be held and the two leaders have agreed to elect Dahal as the chairman, claims the report.
Ignored
Electricity Authority putting Uttarganga project on hold
The lead story of Annapurna Post accuses the government-run Nepal Electricity Authority of putting the development of 828-megawatt Uttarganga Hydropower Project on hold. The report claims that the project has a strategic significant even more than that of hyped Budhigandaki Hydropower Project, but the Authority is keeping mum over the issue so as to cancel the survey licence issued for the project.
The reservoir-based project was expected to generate power at the full capacity even during dry seasons.
Deuba under fire in Congress
Janata Post says Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba is under fire from multiple sides of his party following historic losses in recent local, provincial and parliamentary elections and his descent from the government. Many members of the party’s Central Working Committee view that Deuba is incapable of leading the party forward and the party cannot play the role of an effective opposition in Parliament under his leadership, claims the report.
Supreme Court grants concession to Sobhraj
Republica and Nagarik report that the Supreme Court has granted a concession to multiple murder convict Charles Sobhraj from France, who is currently doing his time in Nepal, on the term of his sentence.
Following a verdict from a division bench of the apex court, Sobhraj will not be required to serve the 40-year jail term for the killing of two foreigners here. He is just required to stay in jail for total 24 years, according to the reports.
Dr KC refuses hearing
Medical education reform activist Dr Govinda KC has denied accepting the scheduled hearing on a case related to contempt of court committed by him, claiming Chief Justice Gopal Parajuli has a vested interest in the hearing and there is a conflict of interest, according to The Kathmandu Post anchor story.
Interesting
Open competition to select consultant for Naagdhunga-Dhulikhel railway feasibility study
The Investment Board Nepal is preparing to call for applications to consultants from across the world to conduct a feasibility study for the ambitious Naagdhunga-Dhulikhel metrorail project, according to Karobar. The Board has formed a panel to move forward the tender process whereas all necessary documents have been prepared, the report says, adding it is currently waiting for opinions of the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Transport Management to issue the call.
