Leaving key state bodies vacant Maoist ploy to seize state power: Khanal

CPN-UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal has said that UCPN (M) leaders' reluctance to make appointments to key state bodies was a sign the party wanted to impose authoritarian rule in the country.

Talking to mediapersons in Kharanitar, Nuwakot, on Monday morning, Khanal said the government was not taking the initiative to fulfill vacancies in key state organs such as the judiciary and the Election Commission.

He added that the opposition's protests would soon force Prime Minister Baburam Bhattrai to put in his papers.

Khanal's remarks come a few days after the Supreme Court was left with only six justices, including the Chief Justice with the retirement of ad hoc justice Prakash Wosti. Similarly, the Election Commission has been running without a commissioner after two commissioners retired in the second week of January. nepalnews.com