Nepal's coalition cabinet headed by Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal has scrapped the erstwhile Maoists-led government's controversial decision to remove the army chief Geneeral Rookmangud Katawal. The cabinet in its meeting on Thursday nullified the Maoists-led government's decision.
Nepal's President Ram Baran Yadav has directed Army Chief Gen Rukmangad Katawal, sacked by Prime Minister Prachanda, to continue in office in a face-off between the two leaders that threatens to escalate the political crisis and derail the peace process.
India has urged caution and consensus-building among Nepal's political parties so that the nation does not get further sucked into political uncertainty due to the events in the past few days, with the latest being the resignation of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda) after President Ram Baran Yadav asked Army chief General R Katawal to stay on despite Prachanda's move to replace General Katawal.
India has planned to invite leaders from across the spectrum, including Maoist leader Baburam Bhattarai, foreign minister Sujata Koirala, former army chief Rookmangud Katawal, as well as Maoist military commander Barshaman Pun 'Ananta', to sit around the same conference table in New Delhi this week.
Dismissing as "ridiculous" India's fears that Nepal was moving closer to China, Prime Minister Prachanda has, however, said there was a "crisis of confidence" between him and the Indian establishment.
With Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' resigning over the issue of sacking of the army chief Gen Rookmangud Katawal, the land-locked country plunged into street protests and strikes affecting business. Strike in the Tarai region, the lifeline of Nepal, has hampered businesses heavily.
With Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' resigning over the issue of sacking of the army chief Gen Rookmangud Katawal, the land-locked country plunged into street protests and strikes affecting business. Strike in the Tarai region, the lifeline of Nepal, has hampered businesses heavily.
Security expert B Raman on the emerging situation in Nepal after its PM Prachanda resigned.
There were rumours of the army going for a coup, but for now it does not appear to be so. But the conditions for a civil war exist. If the Maoists decide to take to the streets to counter the rallies and demonstrations of the opposition parties there will be violence. If violence escalates, the army could intervene.
