NepalNews.com: "Bhattarai is next PM, claims Maoist leader"

[Baburam Bhattarai, a leading figure of Nepal's UCPN(M), is known as the most unabashed advocate of the abandonment of the People's War five years ago, and of a whole series of conciliatory moves toward imperialist powers and international capital.  In a visit to the United States, he even offered dropping the "Maoist" from his party's name, in exchange for business deals and investments.  Last week, the conservative Indian newspaper The Business Standard interviewed Bhattarai.  "Q: In retrospect, what are the mistakes you think you may have made? A: When we came to power, we should not have continued to act like an insurgent group."

Yesterday, NepalNews.com issued the following article, in which his supporters proclaimed Bhattarai as the next Prime Minister of Nepal because he enjoys wide support from "the international community."  Tomorrow, the UCPN(M)'s Standing Committee meets.  Perhaps further clarity will emerge. -- Frontlines ed.] 

Wed, 01.06.11 17:51

Maoist politburo member Devendra Poudel has claimed that party’s vice chairman Baburam Bhattarai will lead the upcoming ‘consensus government’.

Baburam Bhattarai (File photo)

Speaking at the Reporters’ Club Wednesday, Poudel, a Bhattarai loyalist, revealed that serious initiation has been already started within the Maoist party to form Bhattarai. The party should also field a candidate who is acceptable to all, he added.

“Over 80 percent Nepali people want to see Bhattarai as Prime Minister and he enjoys huge support of the international community,” he claimed.

Saying that the current Jhala Nath Khanal-led government can’t transform into a national consensus government, he suggested PM Khanal to pave the way for consensus by resigning as soon as possible by respecting the five-point deal.

Devendra Poudel (File photo)

In another context, Poudel further said that the handover and management of the Maoist army must go hand in hand, not separately.

Speaking at the same programme, Nepali Congress leader Ram Saran Mahat opined that either the NC or the Maoists will lead the next government and also hinted that the Maoists may lead the next government if they properly implemented the 5-point deal soon.

“The Maoists have the main responsibility to implement the five point deal more than other parties,” he said.

He also suggested the parties not to debate on PM’s resignation because the government already become a caretaker one after the five-point agreement. nepalnews.com