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Updates on Nepali Politics from Subel

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This week's show
In a brief conversation with Subel Bhandari, Nepal Correspondent for Agence France-Presse, we address the controversy sparked by Madhesi leaders' choice of language at Constituent Assembly, and the general confusion the nation finds itself in. 

Newly elected Chairman of the Constituent Assembly, Subash Nembang, at The New School University with its president and former U.S Senator Bob Kerry (D) during a major conference organized by the university's India China Institute in 2006 when Mr. Nembang served as the Speaker of the House for Nepal's interim government.

Talking Points:

On Election of First President and Vice President :
The mood in the country is confused.

The Vice President sparked a controversy, and invited sporadic stikes across the country, by taking his oath in Hindi, which he probably did because he is from the madesh and from the Madheshi Janadhikar Forum. But it would probably have been better if he spoke his regional language than Hindi. 

When earlier other Madheshi leaders addressed the Constituent Assembly in Hindi, no controversies were caused. 

The rise of ethnic division is inevitable. 

People want to relate to the new President and Vice President and the language factor might have been a problem there. Vice President, former Supreme Court Justice, once involved in a controversial corruption case and demoted and relocated to Biratnagar.  

Former Maoist Minister Mahara insists party will stick to their three demands to head the government. 

Not clear if the Three party alliance- Nepali Congress, UML and MJF – was just for the President, Vice President and Chairmanship, or longer term. There is vested interest for it to continue, including the Prime Ministership and Ministries.  

K.P Oli, of UML, former Foreign Minister of Nepal (2006), insists the alliance will not break. 

Madhesi party wants to get the Prime Ministership because they supported Ram Baran Yadav of Nepali Congress for the Presidency, a candidate the Madhesi parties are not very fond of because of his opposition to their main agenda 'One Madhesh Pradesh.'

On CA Chairman Subash Nembang:

Important to have someone like Subash Nembang as Chairman of CA, someone who has a cleaner image and has a track record of not being a party loyalist even though he is from the Communist Party of Nepal (UML).  

14 out of 25 parties supported him for this nomination. 

He is from the marginalized community, which helps a vast demography in Nepal identify with him. 


In Conversation is a weekly podcast on Samudaya.org, covering a wide variety of issues, from current affairs to arts, literature and society. It will also maintain a regular review of the week's news events from Nepal.

We hope you take part in the conversation and send us comments and feedback at inconversation@samudaya.org

Credits:

Kashish Das Shrestha,
Producer & Host

Kashish is a freelance journalist based in New York. He has previously produced and hosted over 9 radio shows on KATH/Image 97.9FM in Nepal.

Anup Kaphle,
Co-Producer

Anup is an M.S. student at Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism. He has interned at Newsweek International and Forbes.com, and worked with The Himalayan Times.

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Update: April 15
In Conversation's host, Kashish, will be talking about Nepal on the Asia Pacific Forum (WBAI 99.5FM), New York tonight!

Tune in 8:00-9:00pm EST
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
ASIA PACIFIC FORUM on WBAI 99.5 FM, New York City
Listen online at: www.asiapacificforum.org

Comments

July 28th, 2008
1 | YR:

Great Web site!

Question: Is the first section of the report a direct quote from Nembwang?

Also just curious about the corruption charges against the current vice president?

July 28th, 2008
2 | Kashish:

Thank you.

The ‘Talking Points’ are excerpts or paraphrases of things said by the guest on In Conversation, in this case Subel Bhandari, the AFP Correspondent for Nepal. There are no quotes by CA Chairman Nembang in the ‘Talking Points.’

The corruptions charges against the V.P were well documented, no secret to many.

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