PM asks UML ministers to return to work

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has asked the CPN (UML) ministers, who resigned en masse on Wednesday citing their party's poor performance in the election, to return to work by taking the present transitional period into consideration.

The Prime Minister made the call through a press statement on Friday. He said it is essential that the ruling parties collaborate in running the government till the Constituent Assembly takes shape and a new cabinet is formed.

He also asked the existing cabinet members to bear this in mind and continue their job.

The Prime Minister's statement came a day after an informal meeting of his party, Nepali Congress, decided to stay in the government for the time being. He had held series of meetings with Maoist leadership over this week and was requested by the latter to not to quit government until a new government is formed.

Seven UML ministers including two state ministers had resigned from their posts immediately their party decided to quit the government. The UML's decision to quit the coalition government is seen as a hasty response to an unexpected defeat in the polls.

PM Koirala did accept the joint resignation of the UML ministers, but has not approved the resignations. nepalnews.com mk Apr 18 08