Prez can't exercise executive power on his own: PM

BHAIRAHAWA, Nov 26: Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai has claimed that the president can only endorse the decsion taken by political parties and forwarded through the cabinet but he can´t exercise executive powers on his own.



He said that the president´s "activism" would only create further constitutional crisis and push the fledgling republic into a serious crisis.[break]



Responding to reporters´ queries here in Bhairahawa, the prime minister claimed that the president´s statement issued on Friday was against the letter and spirit of the constitution.



Indicating to opposition parties´ movement, the prime minister said, "The act of pressing the president to issue the statement has dragged the president into controversy." Bhattarai emphasized the need for strengthening coordination between the president´s office and the council of ministers.



"Given its stature, the president should not involve the institution into any controversy," he said.



The prime minister said the government is committed to holding elections between mid-April to Mid-May by resolving the election-related issues and the provisions in the constitution.



Chiefs of ten opposition political parties including Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML had requested the president in writing to stop budget ordinance and make a formal call for formation of national unity government.



The president on Friday called upon the political forces to find a consensus prime minister candidate by Thursday. Irked by the president´s call, the cabinet meeting on Sunday termed the head of state´s announcement a breach of constitution.

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