Maoists quit govt; announce protest movement

international | anti-capitalism | other press Tuesday September 18, 2007 17:24 by pat c

Some interesting developments in Nepal. The Maoist ministers have resigned from the Cabinet. It looks as if the Maoists have decided on mass protests rather than resuming armed struggle at this stage.

The CPN (Maoist) has decided to quit the government as eight-party leaders failed to forge consensus on its demands.

Maoist ministers submitted their resignation letters to Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala as soon as the meeting of top leaders of four major ruling allies ended in a deadlock. The leaders had been engaged in hectic parleys from early morning today.

All four Maoist ministers – Krishna Bahadur Mahara, Dev Gurung, Hisila Yami and Khadga Bishwokarma - were at Baluwatar when the top leaders' meeting was underway. They left Baluwatar at around 12:30 pm after announcing resignation. Leaders and intermediaries were engaged in bilateral and multilateral discussions since last couple of days in their attempt to convince the Maoist leaders not to announce departure from the coalition government.

PM Koirala has rejected two key Maoist demands: announcement of republic before the polls and proportional representation-based election system.

Meanwhile, the Maoists have announced nationwide protest movement from Tuesday.