Broadsheet dailies (both in Nepali and English) published in Kathmandu on Wednesday, May 4, 2016, have given prominent space to reports on how Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s government’s days could be numbered.

Important

Maoists could withdraw support to govt

Nagarik, Republica, Rajdhani, The Himalayan Times, Naya Patrika, Annapurna Post and Nepal Samcharpatra have given prominent space to the differences that have emerged in the ruling coalition.

Republica, in its lead story for the day says, “As behind the scenes negotiations among various political parties aimed at unseating the government have intensified, a group of lawmakers from the Nepali Congress (NC) have asked the party leadership to be ready to even offer the leadership of a new government to the third-largest party, UCPN (Maoist).”

Nagarik, in its lead story, says the Nepali Congress has proposed Dahal as it candidate for Prime Minister. The report says. The paper quotes a Maoist leader as saying that the Nepali Congress has proposed that UCPN-Maoist lead the new government to conclude the peace process and implement the new constitution.

The Himalayan Times, in its two-column story, below the fold says the UML has urged its MPs to stay put in the capital. The report quotes a UML leader as saying, “The Nepali Congress is trying to pull down the government. However, it will not happen.”

Annapurna Post, in its lead story with a double-decker screaming headline. The report says that Prachanda has staked his claim on the new government.

Naya Patrika, in its package lead story, lists five things that could bring about the Oli government’s downfall. It says that the Maoist parties are concerned about the handling of war-era crimes by this government, and the Maoists are not happy on the budget transfer issue. Similarly, PM Oli has not replied to a letter the Maoists wrote to the government, and the Maoists hope that Deuba could curry favour with New Delhi. That the Oli government has not made any progress in implementing the new constitution, has also not gone well with the ruling alliance partner.

Economic growth worst in more than a decade

In its anchor for the day, The Himalayan Times reports that country’s economy is projected to grow at a sluggish pace of 0.77 per cent this fiscal, as retail and wholesale trade and construction and manufacturing sectors are likely to take a dip due to supply disruption triggered by blockade on Nepal-India border points.

Karobar and Abhiyan have also given prominent space to the news.

Ignored

Republica, in its anchor for the day, says drought conditions in Nepal could last over a month. The report quotes a meteorologist as saying that although there will be some rainfall, it will be below normal. The paper says that it will take at least a month for the El Nino conditions in the Pacific Ocean to subside. Annapurna Post also has a similar report.