Nepal in crisis, Army chief sacked, CPN(UML) withdraws support

KATHMANDU: A key ally of the ruling Maoist-led coalition quit the government in protest after Prime Minister Prachanda sacked the Army Chief who refused to step down plunging the country into a crisis that could endanger the peace process.

Prachanda who is headed for a major confrontation with the Army also faced a setback in addition to the second largest coalition partner CPN(UML) exiting from the eight-month government and withdrawing support when President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav refused to endorse his decision.

Yadav wanted Prachanda, a former Maoist rebel leader, to follow constitutional provisions and seek a political consensus over firing 61-year-old Gen Rukmangad Katawal earlier in the day, a move which has angered several allies in the ruling coalition who described the move as unilateral.

After a standing committee meeting of CPN(UML) at Balkhu, its chairman Jhalanath Khanal said his party has withdrawn support to the government and called back its ministers.

The CPN(UML) has 108 rpt 108 members in the 601-member Constituent Assembly and its action has raised doubts over the survival of the multi-party coalition. Maoists have 229 members and it was not immediately clear whether the government was still in a majority.

Tens of thousands of people poured into the streets of the capital to demonstrate both for and against the decision.

The crisis was triggered by the sacking of the Army chief for alleged defying government orders.