Crisis in Nepal as Prachanda fires Army chief; govt totters

The Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) held an emergency meeting after Katawal’s sacking and decided not only to withdraw its ministers from the Cabinet but also move a no-confidence motion to bring down the government. The main Opposition Nepali Congress decided to support the no-confidence motion.

“We will explore formation of a new government because the Maoists have gone against the principle of consensus,the basis for our party joining the Cabinet,” said Ishwar Pokharel,general secretary of the UML.

President Yadav stepped in after 17 political parties including the CPN-UML,Madheshi Janadhikar Forum and Nepal Sadbhavna Party — all partners in the Maoist-led coalition — told him that the Prime Minister’s action of dismissing Katawal and appointing Kul Bahadur Khadka as officiating chief of the Nepal Army was illegal,that they were not party to the decision. The 17 parties are considering forming a national government.

Yadav reminded the Prime Minister that what he did was contrary to his assurance to the head of state as well as other political parties. Dahal,who had earlier been warned by his party’s central secretariat that his failure to sack Katawal would prove his “unworthiness as party chief and leader”,ignored warnings from coalition partners that they would not back the decision.

Dahal summoned Katawal this morning to his official residence and handed him a letter that the General refused to accept. But it was forwarded to Army headquarters after Lt Gen Khadka,the second in line of command,was named the officiating chief. “We are confident that the Army will back our move,” said Maoist leader and Finance Minister Baburam Bhattarai after the Cabinet meeting.

It is learnt that Katawal called a meeting of senior Generals and told them he accepts the civilian supremacy — a cause that the Nepal Army has always been upholding — and that he will wait for instructions from the Supreme Commander. He also said he will be free to take legal recourse.

Fear and tension gripped Kathmandu this morning after word spread that the Prime Minister was determined to sack Katawal and bring in Khadka. The Maoist party secretariat had been urging the Prime Minister to “expose” India and other foreign forces which didn’t want any action against Katawal. “He is the Army chief of foreigners. Why should we keep him?” Law and Justice Minister Dev Gurung told a public meeting yesterday.The Maoist secretariat asked the party’s youth wing,the Young Communist League,to take positions in Kathmandu so that any move to challenge the sacking of Katawal could be countered.