Koirala resigns to pave way for communist govt in Nepal

Kathmandu, Jun 26 (UNI) Octogenarian Nepal Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala announced his resignation this afternoon to pave the way for a new government of the Communist parties, CPN-Maoists and CPN-UML.

He resigned from premiership of the Himalayan nation at the parliamentary meeting of the Constituent Assembly (CA), after weeks of hectic political parleys between Maoists, UML and NC failed consensus on his candidature for presidency.

Addressing the CA meeting at around 3.15pm local time, Mr Koirala called on all CA members to lead the country towards progress and prosperity as per the people's mandate, Kantipur reported.

Eighty three year old Koirala, who also holds the presidency of the ruling Nepali Congress, was selected the Prime Minister after the reinstatement of the House of Representatives on 24 April 2006 following the People's Movement.

CPN-Maoist Chairman Puspa Kamal Dahal ''Prachanda'' had earlier claimed that Mr Koirala will announce his resignation at the parliamentary meeting of the Constituent Assembly (CA) due to be held today.

Earlier on Sunday, Mr Koirala had consulted party affiliated legal experts concerning his resignation.

The experts had advised the octogenarian leader not to resign at the present time considering the interim constitution's provisions.

The single largest party in the Constituent Assembly, CPN-Maoist has got the headway to lead the new government after the resignation of Mr Koirala.

Maoists and UML are preparing to form the next government in the Himalayan republic, excluding the major ally of the seven parties- the Nepali Congress which led the alliance during the peace process.

The UML decided to join the Maoists-led government without the participation of NC after the Maoists said they would support UML's former general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal for the post of President.

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