Political activity picks up in Nepal, meetings on

Kathmandu, Apr 26 : Political activity is picking up in Nepal ahead of reconvening of the sacked Parliament on Friday.

Constituents unity of the Seven-Party Alliance, which selected Mr Girija Prasad Koirala as Prime Minister, have begun meetings ahead of tomorrow's big rally at the open air theatre in Kathmandu.

The Nepali Congress (Democratic), is holding a Central Working Committee meeting at the party office in Maharajgunj. Sources told UNI the meeting, which was to begin at 0900 hrs, is expected to come up with its future agenda.

In another development, there are reports that the Speaker of the revived Assembly Taranath Rana Bhatt was thinking of resigning, but this could not be confirmed yet.

Tomorrow's march rally, to be addressed by leaders of all seven parties, will publicise its greater political agenda including the roadmap which calls for elections to a constituent Assembly.

Informed sources here told UNI the task before the SPA would include resolving the Maoists problem, bringing the Army under Parliament, coping with Coalition partner, paving way for inclusive democracy, meeting aspirations for unbridled freedom and dealing with reactionary forces.

However, it will be a daunting challenge for the parties to curb public anger if they are not able to fulfil their commitment.

Yesterday, the victory rally near Ratnapath close to the venue of tomorrow's march rally, engaged in stone throwing and tore down pictures and posters of King Gyanendra.

Meanwhile, the situation in Kathmandu is fully normal. All shops are open and there is a large number of people and vehicles on the streets. Tourists, which had so far stayed indoors, are now again freely roaming on the streets. All schools shut since April 16, will now reopen on Sunday.

Addressing a rally at Kalanki Chowk last evening, CPN-UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal, stressing that Mr Koirala's government would be small in size, announced it would call for the ceasefire with the Maoists and invite them for talks. Mr Nepal also announced the Government would take strict action against those who undertook repressive measures in dealing with peaceful agitators in the past few days and also annul other anti-people measures. The recently-held local body elections would also be cancelled, he added

UNI

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