Nepal government in crisis as Maoists withdraw support

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister K P Oli-led coalition government today plunged into a serious crisis after its alliance partner CPN-Maoist Centre withdrew support to the nine-month old government, accusing him of failing to implement past agreements.

CPN Maoist chairman Prachanda announced the withdrawal of support from the CPN-UML-led coalition government, saying Oli's party was hesitating to implement the past agreements -- the nine-point agreement signed between CPN-UML and the Maoist Centre in May and the gentlemen's agreement for the change of guard.

In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, Prachanda referred to the promulgation of new Constitution and the past agreements, and said his party was always in favour of forging a national consensus.

He further said the party's decision to withdraw support from the government would help build the national consensus.

"Our party saw the need for national consensus to implement the new statute, complete the remaining tasks of peace process along with the transitional justice, resolve the issues raised by Madhesis, Janajatis and Tharus, and provide relief to the people and carry out reconstruction of the country in the wake of the last year's devastating earthquake," reads the letter signed by Prachanda.

"And the spirit of nine-point agreement that the Maoist party and CPN-UML forged in May was also national consensus," he pointed out.

"But as the leadership of the existing government was not ready to implement the nine-point agreement and the three-point gentlemen's agreement (including change in government leadership), it would be politically inappropriate for our party to remain in this government. Thus, we withdraw our support from this government now."

Prime Minister Oli and the Maoist chief had reached a verbal agreement in May to hand over the leadership of the government to the latter after the Parliament endorses the new budget, according to sources close to Prachanda.

However, Prime Minister Oli turned his deaf ear towards the top Maoist leader and asserted that he would continue in power till the new election is held in one and a half year's time.

The Maoists have also called back all of its ministers from the Oli-led government.

Expressing dissatisfaction over the CPN-UML's leadership, the Maoist Centre had recently intensified intra-party and inter-party dialogues to form a new government in its leadership.

Maoist chief Prachanda had met Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba yesterday and held discussion on the issue of the latest political developments in the country.

During his talk with Deuba, Prachanda is learnt to have sought the support from main opposition Nepali Congress to form a new government under the leadership of his party.