Nepal's president provides 7 days for parties to form national unity government

Two months after the 2013 national election, Nepal's President Ram Baran Yadav on Sunday called on the political parties represented in the Constituent Assembly (CA) to form a national unity government within a week. The head of the state made the call after the first meeting of Legislature-Parliament paved the way for the formation of the government. As per the Interim Constitution 2007, the first priority would be formation of a national unity government without election among parties. "I urge the parties to form a national unity government within a week through a consensus," reads the press release issued by President's office. But, if parties fail to submit the name of the consensual prime minister within a given time frame, the president will have the Parliament elect a new prime minister of the country. The parties, however, have not made any preparations for consensus government. Nepali Congress (NC), which emerged as a largest party in the CA, has claimed the leadership of the government, but there has not been any progress. The NC on Sunday selected its President Sushil Koirala as the party's prime ministerial candidate of the party, ending the month 's long dispute inside the party. Though there is a provision of national unity government in the constitution, Nepal is failing to form such government after the CA election in 2008. The formation of the new government that will replace the chief justice-led government formed in March is likely to speed up the constitution drafting process of the Himalayan country, which is stalled since six years. Leaders of the parties often talk about the need of a national unity government but it has not been materialized, though such government is necessary for speeding up the constitution drafting process