Nepal's Former Maoist Rebel Chief Eyes Comeback As PM

KATHMANDU, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th july, 2016) - The leader of Nepal's former Maoist rebel movement looked set Monday for a comeback as prime minister after the main opposition party gave him its backing to head a new coalition. A day after K.P.

Sharma Oli quit as premier ahead of his likely defeat in a no-confidence motion, the Nepali Congress and the Maoists confirmed they were in talks on forming an administration led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal. Better known by his nom de guerre Prachanda (Nepali for "the fierce one"), Dahal led a decade-long insurgency in which around 16,000 people lost their lives. In 2006 he emerged from hiding to sign a peace deal with mainstream parties that paved the way for the abolition of the world's last Hindu monarchy and his own rise to power via the ballot box. Dahal became Nepal's first elected premier in August 2008 but his government collapsed nine months later in a row over the integration of former Maoist fighters into the army, a key tenet of the peace process. His decision to withdraw support for Oli has now opened up the path for his own return to the premiership, with the Nepali Congress pledging support.

"We are in consultations for the formation of a new government...

Dahal will be the next prime minister, with us playing an important role," senior Nepali Congress leader Minendra Rijal told AFP. There was no immediate reaction from Dahal but a Maoist spokeswoman, Pampha Bhusal, said that efforts would be made to bring others on board. "The no-confidence motion began with an understanding between our party and the Nepali Congress, but we hope to work with other parties as well as we form the government," Bhusal said.

"We are ready for the president to take the formal process forward." President Bidhya Devi Bhandari called Monday on parties to form a new consensus government and set a seven-day deadline. The Nepali Congress is the largest party in the 595-seat parliament, with 196 MPs.

A tie-up with the Maoists, who have 80 seats, would leave them just short of a majority. If he does seal his comeback, one of Dahal's first key tasks will be to finally implement a new constitution and resolve protests in Nepal's southern plains.