Nepal parliament has delayed taking up the constitutional amendment for the Nepal Map that was to be taken up by the House of Representative. The recently released new Nepal Map, which shows Indian territories as its territories, can get legal backing only after the constitution is amended.

Nepal parliament has delayed taking up the constitutional amendment for the Nepal Map that was to be taken up by the House of Representative. The recently released new Nepal Map, which shows Indian territories as its territories, can get legal backing only after the constitution is amended. No reason has been given why Constitution Amendment Bill for Nepal Map was removed from Nepal's House of Representatives agenda. The initiative was taken by the government with the opposition Nepal Congress yet to endorse it in its central committee meeting. "The decision on the amendment to update the map will be made at the forthcoming Central Working Committee meeting. We requested that amendment be put on hold for time being," Krishna Prasad Situala of Nepali Congress was quoted as saying by Kathmandu Post. Nepal Law Minister Dr. Shivamaya Tumbahangphe was to present the 'Constitution of Nepal Second Amendment Bill 2077' in Wednesday's meet of the Parliament. The Nepali government last week issued a new, controversial map of the country which showed Indian territories of Lipulekh, Kalapani, Limpiyadhura as its own. Earlier this month Nepali President addressing the joint session of the Parliament said the new maps of the country will be published that will show all areas it considers its own. The ongoing dispute is not new and dates back to 1816 when under the Treaty of Sugauli, King of Nepal lost parts of its territory to British including Kalapani and Lipulekh. The development comes even as Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli has said increase in a number of COVID-19 cases in the country is due to unchecked inflow of people from India.

Nepal Parliament delays taking up constitutional amendment for controversial new map

All lawmakers in Nepal are being tested for the novel coronavirus as a precautionary measure ahead of the Parliament's budget session beginning on Friday.

The swab samples of House of Representatives (Lower House) and National Assembly (Upper House) members were collected for testing through Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method, at the Parliament building on Thursday, according to officials.

Preparations have begun to run the Parliament session by adopting necessary safety measures including social distancing. Similarly, health check-up will be conducted on those entering the Parliament building, the officials said.

Special preparations have been made to ensure the safety of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who has recently undergone kidney transplantation for the second time.

The number of COVID-19 patients in Nepal remained unchanged at 99 on Thursday.

The health authorities have so far conducted PCR tests on 14,509 people to confirm the novel coronavirus infection.&nbsp;

All lawmakers in Nepal are being tested for the novel coronavirus as a precautionary measure ahead of the Parliament's budget session beginning on Friday. The swab samples of House of Representatives (Lower House) and National Assembly (Upper House) members were collected for testing through Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method, at the Parliament building on Thursday, according to officials.

All lawmakers in Nepal are being tested for the novel coronavirus as a precautionary measure ahead of the Parliament's budget session beginning on Friday. The swab samples of House of Representatives (Lower House) and National Assembly (Upper House) members were collected for testing through Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method, at the Parliament building on Thursday, according to officials. Preparations have begun to run the Parliament session by adopting necessary safety measures including social distancing. Similarly, health check-up will be conducted on those entering the Parliament building, the officials said. Special preparations have been made to ensure the safety of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who has recently undergone kidney transplantation for the second time. The number of COVID-19 patients in Nepal remained unchanged at 99 on Thursday. The health authorities have so far conducted PCR tests on 14,509 people to confirm the novel coronavirus infection.

Nepal lawmakers being tested for coronavirus ahead of Parliament session

Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Shiva Maya Tumbahangphe, announced her resignation from the post on Monday afternoon. Tumbahangphe's resignation came shortly after she chaired the House meeting at 1 pm (Local Time) on Monday.

"In order to vent this confusion, I have been minutely observing ongoing discussions. Majority owing party in House Of Representatives have claimed leadership; facilitation of proceeding as per our constitutional and legal practices," Tumbahangphe said while addressing the House meeting.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepals-ruling-party-remains-undecided-over-new-house-speaker-273706">Nepal's ruling party remains undecided over new House Speaker</a>

Ruling Nepal Communist Party has fielded Agni Prasad Sapkota as the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nepali-parliament-to-start-process-to-pick-new-speaker-next-week-269419">candidate for the Speaker of the House</a>. Opposition Nepali Congress is yet to decide over the candidate it would file for the post.

The post of Nepal's Parliament has remained vacant since early October 2019 when <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepal-court-orders-judicial-custody-to-former-house-speaker-on-rape-charges-260059">Krisha Bahadur Mahara</a> had to resign from the post following the allegations of rape.

Article 91 (2) of the constitution has the mandatory provision of electing the speaker and deputy speaker from different political parties and gender.

Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Shiva Maya Tumbahangphe, announced her resignation from the post on Monday afternoon. Tumbahangphe's resignation came shortly after she chaired the House meeting at 1 pm (Local Time) on Monday.

Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Shiva Maya Tumbahangphe, announced her resignation from the post on Monday afternoon. Tumbahangphe's resignation came shortly after she chaired the House meeting at 1 pm (Local Time) on Monday. "In order to vent this confusion, I have been minutely observing ongoing discussions. Majority owing party in House Of Representatives have claimed leadership; facilitation of proceeding as per our constitutional and legal practices," Tumbahangphe said while addressing the House meeting. Also Read: Nepal's ruling party remains undecided over new House Speaker Ruling Nepal Communist Party has fielded Agni Prasad Sapkota as the candidate for the Speaker of the House. Opposition Nepali Congress is yet to decide over the candidate it would file for the post. The post of Nepal's Parliament has remained vacant since early October 2019 when Krisha Bahadur Mahara had to resign from the post following the allegations of rape. Article 91 (2) of the constitution has the mandatory provision of electing the speaker and deputy speaker from different political parties and gender.

Nepal Deputy House Speaker Tumbahangphe resigns

Nepal State Minister of Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment Prakash Rawal on Sunday stepped down from his post after he was charged with holding shares in the Janajyoti Multiple Campus located in Kanchanpur district.

Action will be taken against him if found guilty in an enquiry, informed Prakash Shah, spokesperson of the government and Minister for Internal Affairs and Law, as reported by The Himalayan Times.

Rawal's personal secretary Ravindra Sunar confirmed the news saying, "Rawal also returned the keys to the government vehicle he was using, to the chief minister."

The Chief Minister of the province Trilochan Bhatta has welcomed the resignation of Rawal.

Nepal Communist Party (NCP) leader previously defended himself saying that the allegation against him was an attempt to tarnish his image.

A case was filed against 36 people, including Rawal on July 23 in Kanchnapur District Court.

Nepal State Minister of Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment Prakash Rawal on Sunday stepped down from his post after he was charged with holding shares in the Janajyoti Multiple Campus located in Kanchanpur district.

Nepal State Minister of Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment Prakash Rawal on Sunday stepped down from his post after he was charged with holding shares in the Janajyoti Multiple Campus located in Kanchanpur district. Action will be taken against him if found guilty in an enquiry, informed Prakash Shah, spokesperson of the government and Minister for Internal Affairs and Law, as reported by The Himalayan Times. Rawal's personal secretary Ravindra Sunar confirmed the news saying, "Rawal also returned the keys to the government vehicle he was using, to the chief minister." The Chief Minister of the province Trilochan Bhatta has welcomed the resignation of Rawal. Nepal Communist Party (NCP) leader previously defended himself saying that the allegation against him was an attempt to tarnish his image. A case was filed against 36 people, including Rawal on July 23 in Kanchnapur District Court.

Nepal Tourism Minister Prakash Rawal steps down

Police have arrested the former <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepals-parliament-speaker-steps-down-after-rape-claim-253108">speaker of Nepal's parliament </a>after a female employee in the assembly accused him of rape.

A police van arrived at Krishna Bahadur Mahara's residence late Sunday and took him into custody after the district court ordered his arrest.

"He was taken into custody yesterday to investigate the case," Shyam Lal Gyawali, Kathmandu police spokesman told AFP.

Mahara, a senior member of the ruling Nepal Communist Party and former Maoist rebel, denied the allegation but stepped down as speaker last week after the woman gave details of the assault to media.

The communist government had faced mounting pressure over the case.

In a video interview published by the hamrakura.com news website on Monday, the woman said Mahara was drunk when he arrived at her home on September 29. He persuaded her to drink alcohol before assaulting her.

"I had not thought it would come to this. He forced himself (on me)... he left after I said I will call the police," she said in the interview.

The woman showed apparent bruises on her arms, hands and feet.

Police said they went to her home the same night, but she did not file a case straight away.

Investigators collected evidence including a bottle of whisky and a pair of broken spectacles, allegedly belonging to Mahara, police said.

However, the woman withdrew her allegation in mid-week, following what many were threats and pressure, media reports said. The woman eventually filed a formal complaint on Friday.

The government faced intense public pressure to make sure the woman's accusations were acted on.

On Friday, the United Nations and foreign embassies in Nepal issued a joint statement urging the government to act against violence against women, without specific reference to Mahara.

"The undersigned call upon all relevant state authorities to send a clear message of zero tolerance to any forms of gender-based violence by anyone under any circumstances," the statement read.

A former rebel leader during Nepal's decade-long Maoist insurgency, Mahara has previously served as deputy prime minister and has held several ministerial posts.

Police have arrested the former speaker of Nepal's parliament after a female employee in the assembly accused him of rape. A police van arrived at Krishna Bahadur Mahara's residence late Sunday and took him into custody after the district court ordered his arrest.

Police have arrested the former speaker of Nepal's parliament after a female employee in the assembly accused him of rape. A police van arrived at Krishna Bahadur Mahara's residence late Sunday and took him into custody after the district court ordered his arrest. "He was taken into custody yesterday to investigate the case," Shyam Lal Gyawali, Kathmandu police spokesman told AFP. Mahara, a senior member of the ruling Nepal Communist Party and former Maoist rebel, denied the allegation but stepped down as speaker last week after the woman gave details of the assault to media. The communist government had faced mounting pressure over the case. In a video interview published by the hamrakura.com news website on Monday, the woman said Mahara was drunk when he arrived at her home on September 29. He persuaded her to drink alcohol before assaulting her. "I had not thought it would come to this. He forced himself (on me)... he left after I said I will call the police," she said in the interview. The woman showed apparent bruises on her arms, hands and feet. Police said they went to her home the same night, but she did not file a case straight away. Investigators collected evidence including a bottle of whisky and a pair of broken spectacles, allegedly belonging to Mahara, police said. However, the woman withdrew her allegation in mid-week, following what many were threats and pressure, media reports said. The woman eventually filed a formal complaint on Friday. The government faced intense public pressure to make sure the woman's accusations were acted on. On Friday, the United Nations and foreign embassies in Nepal issued a joint statement urging the government to act against violence against women, without specific reference to Mahara. "The undersigned call upon all relevant state authorities to send a clear message of zero tolerance to any forms of gender-based violence by anyone under any circumstances," the statement read. A former rebel leader during Nepal's decade-long Maoist insurgency, Mahara has previously served as deputy prime minister and has held several ministerial posts.

Nepal parliament speaker arrested over rape allegations

The speaker of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/nepal-seeks-indias-help-to-strengthen-its-hydropower-sector-250266">Nepal's parliament </a>stepped down on Tuesday after a female employee of the parliament secretariat accused him of rape.

Krishna Bahadur Mahara, a senior member of the ruling Nepal Communist Party said he was stepping down to allow an "impartial and independent investigation into the allegations that have come forward in media reports... until the probe is complete."

A former rebel leader during Nepal's decade-long Maoist insurgency, Mahara has previously served as deputy prime minister and has held several ministerial positions.

In a video interview published by local online news portal&nbsp;<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://hamrakura.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1570016429781000&amp;usg=AFQjCNE36Bx4Sw7PvaM3yxlS2Brzpzx5BA" href="http://hamrakura.com/" target="_blank">hamrakura.com</a>, the woman said that an intoxicated Mahara arrived at her rented home on Sunday night and persuaded her to drink alcohol before assaulting her.

"I had not thought it would come to this. He forced himself (on me)... he left after I said I will call the police," she said in the interview. &nbsp;

The woman also showed apparent bruises on her arms, hands and feet.

Police confirmed receiving a call from the alleged victim on Sunday night.

"We are taking forward our investigation and have collected evidence from her house. But she has not filed a case yet," said Shyam Lal Gyawali, spokesman for the Metropolitan police unit.

The evidence includes a bottle of whiskey and a pair of broken spectacles, allegedly belonging to Mahara. &nbsp; &nbsp;

The speaker's name started trending on social media in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepal-central-bank-issues-three-coins-to-commemorate-guru-nanak-devs-birth-anniversary-252579">Nepal</a> on Tuesday, with many demanding an investigation.

"We will stay watchful. The impartial investigation is must. Position, reach, victim shaming will not be valued," tweeted woman's rights activist Hima Bista.

Activists say more women are speaking up about cases of sexual violence, but also that many still go unreported in deeply patriarchal Nepal.

The speaker of Nepal's parliament stepped down on Tuesday after a female employee of the parliament secretariat accused him of rape. Krishna Bahadur Mahara, a senior member of the ruling Nepal Communist Party said he was stepping down to allow an "impartial and independent investigation into the allegations that have come forward in media reports.

The speaker of Nepal's parliament stepped down on Tuesday after a female employee of the parliament secretariat accused him of rape. Krishna Bahadur Mahara, a senior member of the ruling Nepal Communist Party said he was stepping down to allow an "impartial and independent investigation into the allegations that have come forward in media reports... until the probe is complete." A former rebel leader during Nepal's decade-long Maoist insurgency, Mahara has previously served as deputy prime minister and has held several ministerial positions. In a video interview published by local online news portal hamrakura.com, the woman said that an intoxicated Mahara arrived at her rented home on Sunday night and persuaded her to drink alcohol before assaulting her. "I had not thought it would come to this. He forced himself (on me)... he left after I said I will call the police," she said in the interview. The woman also showed apparent bruises on her arms, hands and feet. Police confirmed receiving a call from the alleged victim on Sunday night. "We are taking forward our investigation and have collected evidence from her house. But she has not filed a case yet," said Shyam Lal Gyawali, spokesman for the Metropolitan police unit. The evidence includes a bottle of whiskey and a pair of broken spectacles, allegedly belonging to Mahara. The speaker's name started trending on social media in Nepal on Tuesday, with many demanding an investigation. "We will stay watchful. The impartial investigation is must. Position, reach, victim shaming will not be valued," tweeted woman's rights activist Hima Bista. Activists say more women are speaking up about cases of sexual violence, but also that many still go unreported in deeply patriarchal Nepal.

Nepal's parliament speaker steps down after rape claim

The Nepal government has taken strong exception to the US envoy's move to engage with Nepali people on a weekly basis through social media, saying it would only invite unnecessary controversy, according to a media report on Thursday.

In a video on embassy's official Twitter and Facebook pages on Monday,<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-ambassador-to-china-visiting-tibet-this-week-220100/amp"> US Ambassador</a> to Nepal Randy Berry said he was starting a weekly series where he would hear and answer questions from around four million Nepalese following these social media handles.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali said that such a move would only invite unnecessary controversy as there was no practice in Nepal in which ambassadors interacted with Nepali people on the social media.

We think such kind of engagement is not needed. If the embassy has anything to say, it can directly talk to the government, Gyawali was quoted as saying by The Himalayan Times.

The embassy's Facebook post read, What would you ask Ambassador Berry if you had the chance? We are letting random people ask random questions, and we will share those exchanges in a weekly video series called GuffGaff with the Ambassador'. Stay tuned for our first video,&nbsp;new ones will be posted on Mondays!

However, Berry's initiative resulted in mixed reactions on social media, with most observers stating that it was not in line with diplomatic norms and principles.

Former foreign secretary Madhu Raman Acharya wrote in a Twitter post, diplomatic activism of foreign ambassadors increases when the government does not sufficiently engage and brief them on the recent developments. So the rule is,&nbsp;keep them engaged or they will find themselves ways to be engaged!

Clarifying its move, the US embassy said it was part of its public diplomacy.&nbsp;A core function of diplomacy is to engage with people, understand them and their priorities and build connections with them. We have been doing this in Nepal for 72 years; it is what diplomats do, it is who we are,&nbsp;it said in a statement issued on Thursday.

The Nepal government has taken strong exception to the US envoy's move to engage with Nepali people on a weekly basis through social media, saying it would only invite unnecessary controversy, according to a media report on Thursday.

The Nepal government has taken strong exception to the US envoy's move to engage with Nepali people on a weekly basis through social media, saying it would only invite unnecessary controversy, according to a media report on Thursday. In a video on embassy's official Twitter and Facebook pages on Monday, US Ambassador to Nepal Randy Berry said he was starting a weekly series where he would hear and answer questions from around four million Nepalese following these social media handles. Minister of Foreign Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali said that such a move would only invite unnecessary controversy as there was no practice in Nepal in which ambassadors interacted with Nepali people on the social media. We think such kind of engagement is not needed. If the embassy has anything to say, it can directly talk to the government, Gyawali was quoted as saying by The Himalayan Times. The embassy's Facebook post read, What would you ask Ambassador Berry if you had the chance? We are letting random people ask random questions, and we will share those exchanges in a weekly video series called GuffGaff with the Ambassador'. Stay tuned for our first video, new ones will be posted on Mondays! However, Berry's initiative resulted in mixed reactions on social media, with most observers stating that it was not in line with diplomatic norms and principles. Former foreign secretary Madhu Raman Acharya wrote in a Twitter post, diplomatic activism of foreign ambassadors increases when the government does not sufficiently engage and brief them on the recent developments. So the rule is, keep them engaged or they will find themselves ways to be engaged! Clarifying its move, the US embassy said it was part of its public diplomacy. A core function of diplomacy is to engage with people, understand them and their priorities and build connections with them. We have been doing this in Nepal for 72 years; it is what diplomats do, it is who we are, it said in a statement issued on Thursday.

Nepal objects to US envoy's move to engage with people through social media

The Nepal government led by K P Sharma Oli has introduced a bill in Parliament having provisions of harsh punishment for people for posting anti-government contents on social media, amid protest by opposition Nepali Congress.

In the bill, related to the management and regulation of information technology, the government has prescribed a fine up to Rs 1.5 million and/or five years imprisonment for individuals who post or propagate online contents deemed "objectionable" by the authorities or character assassination or an attack on national sovereignty.

Nepali Congress leader and former Information and Communication Minister Minendra Rijal said that the government should not criminalise acts of publishing news or posting message in social media by imposing harsh punishment.&nbsp;

"The bill registered by the government in the Parliament indicates that the communist government is moving towards authoritarian rule," he said at an interaction programme on "Shrinkage of democracy in Nepal" organised by "Campaign for Democracy".

The Nepal Communist Party-led government having two third majority cannot impose authoritarian rule in the country by introducing laws to curtain press freedom and freedom of thought, said senior advocate Dinesh Tripathi.&nbsp;

Oli government is trying to prove that it can do whatever it likes through two third majority vote, which goes against democracy, he added.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, following an objection by the Nepal Communist Party-led government, noted folk singer Pashupati Sharma has removed his song on corruption from social media site Youtube.

Sharma posted the song "Lutna sake loot", speaks about corruption, social anomalies and luxurious life adopted by the powerful people in the country, on

Youtube on Friday, the day when the Oli government, having two-third&nbsp;majority in Parliament, completed its one year term in the office.

The song was removed reportedly following threat to the singer by the ruling Nepal Communist Party cadres.

The song, shared by hundreds of thousands of people within 48 hours, continued to attract support from people even after it was removed from Youtube.

It also criticises President Bidya Bhandari's office for making alleged purchase of goods worth Rs 1.5 billion, alleged indulgence of government staff in corruption and alleged difficulties being faced by the common people due to the corruption in the government.&nbsp;

The Nepal government led by K P Sharma Oli has introduced a bill in Parliament having provisions of harsh punishment for people for posting anti-government contents on social media, amid protest by opposition Nepali Congress.

The Nepal government led by K P Sharma Oli has introduced a bill in Parliament having provisions of harsh punishment for people for posting anti-government contents on social media, amid protest by opposition Nepali Congress. In the bill, related to the management and regulation of information technology, the government has prescribed a fine up to Rs 1.5 million and/or five years imprisonment for individuals who post or propagate online contents deemed "objectionable" by the authorities or character assassination or an attack on national sovereignty. Nepali Congress leader and former Information and Communication Minister Minendra Rijal said that the government should not criminalise acts of publishing news or posting message in social media by imposing harsh punishment. "The bill registered by the government in the Parliament indicates that the communist government is moving towards authoritarian rule," he said at an interaction programme on "Shrinkage of democracy in Nepal" organised by "Campaign for Democracy". The Nepal Communist Party-led government having two third majority cannot impose authoritarian rule in the country by introducing laws to curtain press freedom and freedom of thought, said senior advocate Dinesh Tripathi. Oli government is trying to prove that it can do whatever it likes through two third majority vote, which goes against democracy, he added. Meanwhile, following an objection by the Nepal Communist Party-led government, noted folk singer Pashupati Sharma has removed his song on corruption from social media site Youtube. Sharma posted the song "Lutna sake loot", speaks about corruption, social anomalies and luxurious life adopted by the powerful people in the country, on Youtube on Friday, the day when the Oli government, having two-third majority in Parliament, completed its one year term in the office. The song was removed reportedly following threat to the singer by the ruling Nepal Communist Party cadres. The song, shared by hundreds of thousands of people within 48 hours, continued to attract support from people even after it was removed from Youtube. It also criticises President Bidya Bhandari's office for making alleged purchase of goods worth Rs 1.5 billion, alleged indulgence of government staff in corruption and alleged difficulties being faced by the common people due to the corruption in the government.

Bill introduced by Nepal PM proposes five years of jail for posting anti-government content on social media

Nepal&#39;s parliament on Tuesday elected an unopposed three-time former prime minister to the top post once again, the tenth time in just over a decade the leadership has changed hands in the Himalayan nation.

Sher Bahadur Deuba, a wily political veteran, stood unopposed in the parliamentary election having struck a deal with his predecessor that some criticised as being undemocratic.

Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal -- who resigned a fortnight ago after just ten months as prime minister -- had agreed to stand aside for Deuba once long-awaited local polls had been held in Nepal.

&quot;I announce that respected member Sher Bahadur Deuba... has been elected to the post of Nepal&#39;s prime minister,&quot; said Parliament Speaker Onsari Gharti Magar, addressing parliament during a live television broadcast.

Deuba&#39;s centre-right Nepali Congress struck an uneasy alliance with the Maoists last August on the condition Dahal would hand over power once local elections had been held.

The first phase of those polls -- the first held in 20 years -- were staged last month in three of Nepal&#39;s seven districts. The second round of voting has been delayed twice, but did not impede Deuba`s appointment.

Nepal&#39;s revolving door politics has seen the three largest parties cycle through the premiership since 2006, when a peace deal was struck to end a lengthy Maoist insurgency against government forces.

&quot;The manner of his (Deuba`s) rise for the fourth time does not bode well because it has not been a democratic process,&quot; said Kunda Dixit, the editor of the Nepali Times newspaper.

Seventy-year-old Deuba takes the helm for the fourth time as Nepal enters the final stages of a drawn-out peace process that birthed a new constitution and promises for broad elections.

The new constitution, signed in 2015, mandated that local elections must be followed by polls at provincial and national level no later than January 2018.

This process has been hindered by the Madhesi, a minority group living along the border with India who have vowed to obstruct the polls unless the constitution is amended to give them a larger political voice.

The proposed changes, which would see Nepal`s boundaries redrawn to give the lowland Madhesi greater representation, is fiercely opposed by the main opposition party.

But in a speech to parliament, Deuba assured lawmakers the Madhesi&#39;s demands would be met and elections proceed as planned.

&quot;The priority now is the second phase of election. It will be conducted as scheduled. I want to assure you that all the three elections -- local, provincial and national -- will be held as planned,&quot; he said. 
 
(AFP)

Deuba had struck a deal with his predecessor, Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal, that some criticised as being undemocratic

Nepal's parliament on Tuesday elected an unopposed three-time former prime minister to the top post once again, the tenth time in just over a decade the leadership has changed hands in the Himalayan nation. Sher Bahadur Deuba, a wily political veteran, stood unopposed in the parliamentary election having struck a deal with his predecessor that some criticised as being undemocratic. Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal -- who resigned a fortnight ago after just ten months as prime minister -- had agreed to stand aside for Deuba once long-awaited local polls had been held in Nepal. "I announce that respected member Sher Bahadur Deuba... has been elected to the post of Nepal's prime minister," said Parliament Speaker Onsari Gharti Magar, addressing parliament during a live television broadcast. Deuba's centre-right Nepali Congress struck an uneasy alliance with the Maoists last August on the condition Dahal would hand over power once local elections had been held. The first phase of those polls -- the first held in 20 years -- were staged last month in three of Nepal's seven districts. The second round of voting has been delayed twice, but did not impede Deuba`s appointment. Nepal's revolving door politics has seen the three largest parties cycle through the premiership since 2006, when a peace deal was struck to end a lengthy Maoist insurgency against government forces. "The manner of his (Deuba`s) rise for the fourth time does not bode well because it has not been a democratic process," said Kunda Dixit, the editor of the Nepali Times newspaper. Seventy-year-old Deuba takes the helm for the fourth time as Nepal enters the final stages of a drawn-out peace process that birthed a new constitution and promises for broad elections. The new constitution, signed in 2015, mandated that local elections must be followed by polls at provincial and national level no later than January 2018. This process has been hindered by the Madhesi, a minority group living along the border with India who have vowed to obstruct the polls unless the constitution is amended to give them a larger political voice. The proposed changes, which would see Nepal`s boundaries redrawn to give the lowland Madhesi greater representation, is fiercely opposed by the main opposition party. But in a speech to parliament, Deuba assured lawmakers the Madhesi's demands would be met and elections proceed as planned. "The priority now is the second phase of election. It will be conducted as scheduled. I want to assure you that all the three elections -- local, provincial and national -- will be held as planned," he said. (AFP)

Sher Bahadur Deuba takes helm as Nepal PM for fourth time

China&#39;s foreign ministry said today that it hoped that all parties in Nepal put national interest first and worked for stability, after the landlocked country&#39;s prime minister resigned, nine months after coming to power. 
 
Nepal&#39;s Prime Minister KP Oli resigned on Sunday, minutes before parliament was to vote on a no-confidence motion he was likely to lose. 
 
The no-confidence motion was brought by former Maoist rebels who propped up the Oli-led government last October, but fell out with him after accusing him of failing to honour a power-sharing deal. 
 
Oli&#39;s departure plunges the Himalayan country, plagued by political turmoil for years, into a whole new round of political uncertainty. This is the country&#39;s 23rd government to fall since a multi-party democracy began in 1990 after bloody protests, and the political tumult has weighed on business confidence. 
 
China is vying to increase its influence in Nepal, challenging India&#39;s long-held position as the dominant outside power. 
 
When Oli visited China in March, he signed a deal allowing Nepal to use China&#39;s ports for trading goods with third countries, potentially ending India&#39;s decades-long monopoly over the impoverished country&#39;s trading routes. 
 
&quot;As a neighbour and friend, China genuinely hopes that all parties and sides in Nepal put the national and people&#39;s interests first, and dedicate themselves to effecting Nepal&#39;s stability and development,&quot; China&#39;s foreign ministry said in a brief statement. 
 
&quot;China and Nepal have been through thick and thin together, and no matter the changes in the international or domestic situation, the direction of China and Nepal&#39;s friendship and mutually beneficially cooperation will not change.&quot; 
 
(Reuters)

China is vying to increase its influence in Nepal, challenging India's long-held position as the dominant outside power

China's foreign ministry said today that it hoped that all parties in Nepal put national interest first and worked for stability, after the landlocked country's prime minister resigned, nine months after coming to power. Nepal's Prime Minister KP Oli resigned on Sunday, minutes before parliament was to vote on a no-confidence motion he was likely to lose. The no-confidence motion was brought by former Maoist rebels who propped up the Oli-led government last October, but fell out with him after accusing him of failing to honour a power-sharing deal. Oli's departure plunges the Himalayan country, plagued by political turmoil for years, into a whole new round of political uncertainty. This is the country's 23rd government to fall since a multi-party democracy began in 1990 after bloody protests, and the political tumult has weighed on business confidence. China is vying to increase its influence in Nepal, challenging India's long-held position as the dominant outside power. When Oli visited China in March, he signed a deal allowing Nepal to use China's ports for trading goods with third countries, potentially ending India's decades-long monopoly over the impoverished country's trading routes. "As a neighbour and friend, China genuinely hopes that all parties and sides in Nepal put the national and people's interests first, and dedicate themselves to effecting Nepal's stability and development," China's foreign ministry said in a brief statement. "China and Nepal have been through thick and thin together, and no matter the changes in the international or domestic situation, the direction of China and Nepal's friendship and mutually beneficially cooperation will not change." (Reuters)

China calls for stability after Nepal PM's departure

Nepal Parliament today started a three-day discussion on the no-confidence motion filed against embattled Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli after all the three bills related to the annual budget were rejected by majority vote. 
 
Speaking in the 598-member House, Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) (Maoist Centre) chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal &#39;Prachanda&#39; sought the support of the lawmakers for the no-confidence motion. 
 
The no-trust motion was registered by the largest party in the parliament Nepali Congress, CPN-Maoist Centre and CPN-United. 
They have been demanding that Oli should resign to clear the way for formation of a new government. 
 
A total of 281 parliamentarians of 13 parties have supported the motion. The parliament will hold discussions for three days on the motion. 
 
Earlier in the day, the parliament rejected all three budget-related bills by majority vote. 
 
Nepali Congress and Maoist had decided to table the bills before tabling the no-trust motion as per the request of the ruling parties, but they voted against it. 
 
The parliament meeting has been postponed till tomorrow morning. 
 
Oli, who became prime minister last October heading Nepal&#39;s eighth government in the past 10 years, has been facing a no-trust motion after the Maoists withdrew support from the coalition government last week. 
 
Nepali Congress and the Maoists tabled the no-trust motion against Oli, accusing him of not honouring his past commitments. 
Oli has refused to step down, despite the fact that the coalition government led by him is in minority after the Maoists withdrew their support to the coalition government. 
 
(PTI)

The no-confidence motion was registered by the largest party in the Parliament, the Nepali Congress, seeking support of other lawmakers

Nepal Parliament today started a three-day discussion on the no-confidence motion filed against embattled Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli after all the three bills related to the annual budget were rejected by majority vote. Speaking in the 598-member House, Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) (Maoist Centre) chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' sought the support of the lawmakers for the no-confidence motion. The no-trust motion was registered by the largest party in the parliament Nepali Congress, CPN-Maoist Centre and CPN-United. They have been demanding that Oli should resign to clear the way for formation of a new government. A total of 281 parliamentarians of 13 parties have supported the motion. The parliament will hold discussions for three days on the motion. Earlier in the day, the parliament rejected all three budget-related bills by majority vote. Nepali Congress and Maoist had decided to table the bills before tabling the no-trust motion as per the request of the ruling parties, but they voted against it. The parliament meeting has been postponed till tomorrow morning. Oli, who became prime minister last October heading Nepal's eighth government in the past 10 years, has been facing a no-trust motion after the Maoists withdrew support from the coalition government last week. Nepali Congress and the Maoists tabled the no-trust motion against Oli, accusing him of not honouring his past commitments. Oli has refused to step down, despite the fact that the coalition government led by him is in minority after the Maoists withdrew their support to the coalition government. (PTI)

Nepal Parliament begins discussion on no-trust motion against Prime Minister Oli

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