M A I N   N E W S

Repoll for Nepal PM on July 23
Bishnu Budathoki in Kathmandu

The speaker of Nepal's Parliament Subas Nembang on Wednesday informed the House on Wednesday that the names of two contestants from the Maoists and Nepali Congress- Prachanda and Poudel-would be tabled for the next round of election slated for July 23. None of the candidates failed to garner even a simple majority in the prime ministerial poll. Prachanda and his rival Poudel were rejected for the key post in an election that required candidates to secure a simple majority in the 601-member parliament.

Prachanda, 58, received 242 votes in favour and 114 against, failing to reach the magic figure of 301 to win. After ex-premier Prachanda's defeat, the lawmakers were asked to vote for or against Nepali Congress candidate Poudel, 65, who too crashed out of the race, receiving just 124 votes in favour and 235 against.

Four Madhesi parties, whose combined strength is 84, along with some other smaller parties abstained from voting, which started at 4 pm local time, after a five-hour delay.

The CPN-UML decided to withdraw its candidate from the fray saying that it would not engage in majority/minority politics in government formation. “Though I had received 391 members’ signatures I decided to refrain from the poll fray, in accordance with the party decision to form a national government based on consensus or two-third majority,” UML’s prime ministerial candidate Khanal told journalists after the poll.

Khanal announced that his party would not participate in the poll unless the political parties reached an understanding to form a united government to ensure a smooth constitution-drafting process.

However, Nepali Congress leader and prime minister’s candidate Poudel and Maoists chief whip Bahadur Bogati claimed that they would try to persuade other political parties’ members and garner a simple majority to form the government.

If the UML and Madhesh-based parties refrain from the election none of the candidates from Maoists or Congress will be able to garner simple majority in the 601-member parliament.

Before the voting, speaker Subash Nemwang announced the names of the candidates and allowed lawmakers to speak for or against them.

The country plunged into a political crisis last month after Madhav Kumar Nepal’s resignation under Maoist pressure.