NC to ask speaker to declare Poudel PM

KATHMANDU, Nov 14: The Nepali Congress (NC) has decided to formally ask Speaker Subas Nembang to declare the party´s prime ministerial candidate Ram Chandra Poudel as elected unopposed in the parliamentary meeting on Monday.



A joint meeting of the NC Central Working Committee and the Parliamentary Committee held at Singha Durbar on Sunday evening took the decision. [break]



"Nepali Congress has decided to ask the speaker to declare Poudel as elected unopposed in line with the recent Supreme Court´s verdict," said NC Parliamentary Party Spokesperson Nabindra Raj Joshi.



Talking to media persons after the meeting, Joshi said that the meeting also decided to ask all lawmakers, political parties and civil society members to support their demand. "All should respect the rule of law. We urge all, including lawmakers, political parties and civil society members to support our demand," he said.



The apex court on November 10 had directed Speaker Nembang to review clause 7 of the parliamentary provision to end the ongoing futile process to elect a new prime minister. NC has maintained that revision of clause 7 of the parliamentary regulation would mean going for sub-clause 5 of the same clause.



As per the sub-clause 5, the speaker is required to declare the lone candidate in the prime ministerial race as elected unopposed.



NC candidate Poudel is the lone prime ministerial candidate following Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal´s withdrawal of candidacy after the eighth round of voting.



NC leaders during the meeting argued that declaring Poudel as the new prime minister unopposed would not only uphold respect for the rule of law but also end the current political deadlock. The House has failed to elect a new prime minister even after 16 rounds of voting in parliament, further deepening the political deadlock.



NC leaders said once Poudel is elected unopposed he will have to secure vote of confidence through a simple majority in the 601-member parliament. "Poudel will step down if he fails to secure majority within the stipulated date, paving way for fresh process to elect a new prime minister," said NC lawmaker Ajaya Chuarasiya.



Among other things, Sunday´s joint meeting of the NC also welcomed the release of pro-democracy fighter Aung San Suu Kyi by military regime of Myanmar on Saturday afternoon, according to a press statement issued by the party after the meeting.



krkoirala@gmail.com

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