Political parties still hold sway over govt, says Bhattarai

Political parties still hold sway over the government, although a 'neutral' person has been appointed head of the Council of Ministers, outgoing Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai has said.

The UCPN(M) Vice-chairman, who was talking to mediapersons at his residence in Sanepa, recounted his successes during his 18-month-long stint at the top of Nepali government. He said that the main highlight of his tenure was the completion of the peace process and the integration of former PLA fighters into the national army.

Bhattarai said that as the presidential decree clearly states that if the current government fails to conduct elections by November, political parties would decide on the way forward. This means that political parties still hold sway over the government, he added.

He called on the 22 political parties, who have taken to the streets against the government, to stop protests and join the electoral process. The parties know that have no choice but to contest elections, he held. nepalnews.com