UML-led govt formation still in limbo

KATHMANDU, May 12 - Negotiations between Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and United Madhesi Democratic Front (UMDF) hit a snag Tuesday night as the Front stuck to its guns: amend the Interim Constitution to address the eight-point agreement signed between the government and UMDF on 28 February 2008. Thus, the government formation process appears to drag on, mired in a politically fluid situation.
The prospects of a Congress-UML-led alliance continues to hang in a balance even though a UML-led government appeared completely feasible earlier in the day. At one point, the democratic alliance, widely touted as a multi-party coalition was optimistic it would garner 341 votes in Madhav Kumar Nepal's favour.
At the meeting with NC and UML on Tuesday, UMDF constituents -- Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF), Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party (TMLP) and Sadbhavana Party (SP) -- were reportedly ready to support the NC-UML-led alliance after the latter pledged to address the UMDF demands by incorporating them into the Common Minimum Programme of the coalition government.
Talking to journalists, TMLP leader Ram Kumar Sharma said, “We have received positive response from the NC and UML on our eight-point demand, so the UMDF is going to hold a joint meeting in the afternoon and decide to extend support to the new alliance.”
Immediately after the meeting, NC Acting President Sushil Koirala and UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal sent a paper to the UMDF expressing commitment to implement the eight-point agreement. “But issues related to the constitution will be decided through the Constituent Assembly,” the paper read. However, a meeting of UMDF leaders failed to take a final decision. Instead, they floated a precondition telling the NC and UML to address their demands immediately by amending the Interim Constitution.
MJF Chairman Upendra Yadav said UMDF favoured a broad democratic alliance to lead the nation and they were positive towards the new alliance and UML's leadership. “But the new alliance should make its stance clear on certain issues,” he said wi-thout elaborating the issues.
UML leader Raghuji Panta said, “We will hold dialogue with UMDF leaders and sort out issues tomorrow and reach a final agreement to form a coalition.”
Meanwhile, CPN-ML leader Chandra Prakash Mainali handed over the signatures of his party's nine lawmakers to Nepal extending support to lead the new government. Rastriya Prajantantra Party Chairman Pashupati Shumsher Rana, Rastriya Janashakti Party Chairman Surya Bahadur Thapa and Chitra Bahadur KC of National People's Front have directed their lawmakers to vote for Nepal in the prime ministerial poll fray.