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Consensus eludes Nepal’s parties

KATHMANDU: There were no nominations filed for the post of President and Vice-President on Wednesday.

As per the election programme, the nominations on the basis of political consensus had to be filed on Wednesday.

Now, political parties will have to register their candidates on Thursday for the Constituent Assembly (CA) elections, which will be held on July 19.

The Nepali Congress (NC) wants Girija Prasad Koirala as Nepal’s first President, but the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) and CPN (UML) are against his candidature. They have said Mr. Koirala is “too old for the post.”

NC spokesperson Arjun Narsingh K.C. told The Hindu: “Only if there is political consensus, Girija Prasad Koirala’s name would be registered as presidential candidate, otherwise, he wouldn’t take part in the elections.”

The CPN (UML) wants its former general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal to be elected President. UML leader Ram Chandra Jha, on Wednesday, said: “Our one and only nomination is for Mr. Nepal.”

On Wednesday, Maoists’ chairman Prachanda met Mr. Nepal to discuss the issue. Later, he said the Maoists have not decided on their choice for President.

The Maoists have given up claim over the President’s post. Mr. Prachanda is likely to head the coalition government as the executive Prime Minister.

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