Khanal calls on all parties to join his govt

Shirish B Pradhan

Kathmandu, Feb 18 (PTI) Nepal''s new Premier JhalanathKhanal today appealed to all parties, including the oppositionNC, to join the coalition government and sought their supportin drafting the Constitution, as his CPN-UML failed to strikea power-sharing deal with Maoists.

"I expect cooperation and support from everybody toinstitutionalise the federal democratic republic system in thecountry," Khanal said in an address to the nation, which wastelevised live.

He called on all political parties, including NepaliCongress (NC), to join the government.

He also sought cooperation from all sides inaccomplishing the task of drafting a new Constitution andcompleting the peace process on time.

Khanal is yet to give a full shape to his government anddivide portfolios to ministers due to the CPN-UML''s failure tostrike a power-sharing deal with the Maoists, on whose supportKhanal became Prime Minister.

All the democratic and revolutionary forces should joinhands in this transitional phase, Khanal said.

The Prime Minister also asked civil servants and securityagencies to fulfill their duty with full dedication withoutgiving rise to any doubt.

Earlier in the day, Khanal held discussions on key issuesrelating to formation of the government with Maoist chiefPrachanda at his official residence at Baluwatar.

After the meeting, Prachanda said his party wouldcontinue its support to the government, but made it clear thatMaoists cannot join it till the government implements a seven-point agreement reached with them.

Prachanda also said the delay in the Cabinet expansionwas caused by internal differences within the CPN-UML.