Parties to finalise issue of CJ-led government Monday

The major four political forces - NC, CPN (UML), UCPN (M) and UDMF - have decided to finalise the issue of whether to form a Chief Justice-led election government or not by Monday.

They have also decided to wait till tomorrow for a final word from Chief Justice Khil Raj Regmi whether he is willing to lead the election government.

A meeting of the major four political parties at the Secretariat of Army Integration Special Committee, New Baneshwor took a decision to this effect.

The meeting, which was called after CJ Regmi still remained undecided over the proposal of the political parties to make him the head of the election government, also gave the responsibility of holding "decisive talks" with CJ Regmi to Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai.

Emerging from the meeting, NC vice-president Ram Chandra Poudel said, "The Chief Justice hasn't clarified whether he want to take the reins of the election government or not. We will try to make him accept the responsibility of leading the election government until tomorrow. But if he still remains undecided, we will have to explore other options."

Chairperson of MJF (Democratic) Bijay Kumar Gachchhadhar, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, said that the CJ holds the key to the plans of the political parties to carry out the election in June this year.

"If he agrees to lead the election government then election will be possible in May," Gachchhadhar said.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has issued a show cause notice to the President, government and four major political forces over their bid to form an election government under the leadership of Chief Justice Khil Raj Regmi.

During the preliminary hearing of a writ challenging the proposal Justice Sushila Karki issued the order demanding that the defendants furnish a written explanation within nine days (March 5). Nepalnews.com