CPN Maoist to request PM to invite them to form government

In a sign that they are losing patience with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and are eager to head the new government, CPN (Maoist) party has decided to submit a "proposal" at the meeting of the Council of Ministers requesting that the party be invited to form the next government.

The decision to this effect was taken at the Central Secretariat Meeting of the CPN (Maoist) party held at the party headquarters under the aegis of party chairman Prachanda Thursday morning.

"Since after the conclusion of the Constituent Assembly election the current government headed by Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has automatically become a caretaker government, the Prime Minister will be requested that he should clarify his position and immediately invite CPN (Maoist), which has emerged as the largest party, to form a new government," reads the statement issued by Chairman Prachanda making public the decisions made by the central secretariat.

The meeting also decided to form a three-member probe committee headed by Central Secretariat member Post Bahadur Bogati to investigate the murder of businessman Ramhari Shrestha. Other members of the committee include central committee member Hitraj Pandey and state committee member Ekraj Bhandari. The statement adds that the party will take action against anyone found guilty as per the report of the committee.

The meeting also decided that relief and compensation would be made available as per the understanding with the family of Shrestha. It also decided to request the government to form high level probe committee to investigate the incident.

C.P Gajurel, a member of the Secretariat and head of the party's foreign relations bureau, said that the proposal is being tabled to "open way" for the formation of a new government under the leadership of the CPN (Maoist) party.

Meanwhile, Maoist ministers in the current cabinet has issued a joint statement urging the Prime Minister not to take any decision with far-reaching impact at this juncture.

The cabinet meeting is scheduled to take place this afternoon at Prime Minister's Office in Singhadurbar.

The cabinet meeting is also set to pass an ordinance for swearing in the members of the Constituent Assembly