Prachanda sets conditions for govt formation in Nepal

During an all-party meeting on Thursday, Prachanda set the pre-conditions 8212; the Nepali Congress-led three-party alliance formed to elect President must be dissolved, the Maoists8217; agenda must get priority while setting a common minimum programme of new government and a written commitment must be made to ensure government would last for the next two years.

Shortly after the defeat of their presidential candidate Ramraja Prasad Singh on Monday, the Maoists had said they would not form a government and instead sit in the Opposition.

While setting the pre-conditions on Thursday, Prachanda said again that if they were not fulfilled his CPN-Maoist party would sit in the Opposition.

The parties extending support to Maoists for forming a government should have the right to put forth their conditions and it should not be the other way round, Mahat said.

He ruled out the possibility of dissolving the three- party alliance comprising Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and Madhesi People8217;s Rights Forum MPRF and stressed the need to further broaden it. He said the three parties were also exploring the possibilities of forming a new government.

Reacting to the Maoists8217; pre-conditions, MPRF leader Upendra Yadav said it was a 8220;childish and funny8221; act.