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Maoist leader says UML could be given second position

With Unified Marxist Leninist (UML), a key ally of the Maoists, threatening to stay out of the government if it is denied second position, a Maoist leader has said his party could consider the UML's demand.

"We have not said we won't accept Gautam (Bamdev) in the second position in the protocol ranking. We are ready to show flexibility regarding this," Maoist central secretariat member and law minister Dev Gurung said.

The protocol issue, according to Gurung, is a technical one and that the issue will be resolved once Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal returns from China.

He was speaking at the Reporters Club Saturday.

Asked about the decision of the Prime Minister to visit China in his maiden foreign tour, Gurung clarified that the main purpose of the visit is to attend the concluding ceremony of the Olympic Games and that the visit would, at the same time, be important in consolidating the bilateral ties.

UML leader Ram Chandra Jha said his party would not join the government if Gautam, who has been named as home minister and UML leader in the cabinet, is not given second position.

Speaking at the same programme, NC general secretary described Prime Minister Dahal's China tour as being ethically wrong as it comes at a time when a part of the country is facing worst flooding ever. nepalnews.com mk Aug 23 08