Nepal Prez calls on Maoists to form govt

Kathmandu, Jul 30: Nepal's newly elected President Ram Baran Yadav has called on the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) to form a government with a political consensus.

The President has given seven days for the CPN(M) to evolve a consensus. Dr Yadav has called for the formation of the Council of Ministers and appointment of the prime minister in accordance with Article 38 Clause (1) of the Interim Constitution of Nepal, 2007, a communique issued by the president's office stated. Mr Girija Prasad Koirala has resigned as prime minister and the government has not been formed yet as there is no majority of any political parties in the Constituent Assembly (CA).

CPN(M) has emerged as the largest party with 227 seats in the 601-seat CA, however, its candidates were defeated in the president and vice president election.

Nepali Congress candidate Ram Baran Yadav and Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum's (MJF) Paramanand Jha were elected president and vice-president respectively, defeating Maoists-backed candidates as the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and MJF sewed up an alliance against the Maoists.

UML's Subhash Chandra Nemwang was elected chairman of the CA.

UNI