Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal submitted his resignation letter to President Ram Baran Yadav on Sunday after several rounds of talks with major political parties proved futile to forge a consensus on new government to be entrusted with the task of completing peace and constitution writing process.
Khanal’s self-imposed deadline to resign from the post had expired Saturday. He was advised by coalition partners not to make haste to resign, fearing that his resignation might lead to constitutional crisis after the CA deadline expires. “He decided to quit rather than take blames of obstructing ways to reach a consensus,” said the PM’s advisor Surya Thapa
A statement issued by the PM office stated that he decided to resign as there was no substantial progress in the peace process after the five-point deal was signed. He resigned from the post of the PM, paving way for a national unity government.
Khanal remained in the government for six months. He will announce his resignation in the Parliament on Monday.
His resignation has opened an avenue for a national unity government but lack of consensus among the parties threatens the nation with prospect of another majoritarian government. The UCPN (Maoist) vice chairman Baburam Bhattarai, who has been nominated by the party as a consensus candidate, has said he will not lead a majoritarian government. UML has not shown willingness to run for the post of prime minister. Although NC has not yet been able to decide its candidate for the post, there is a probability that NC and the Maoists may fight tooth and nail for the post.