Nepal to elect new Prime Minister

NEPAL: Nepal’s Maoists will push for a return to power when the Parliament votes for a new Prime Minister to fill a three-week political void in the formerly war-ravaged Himalayan country.

The Maoists, who fought a 10-year battle against the state before entering politics and winning elections in 2008, say that as the single largest party in Parliament they should lead the Government.

They have put forward Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who goes by the name of Prachanda, meaning “the fierce one”, for the leadership contest.

He served as Prime Mminister after the 2008 vote but quit in May 2009 over a row with the army.

KATHMANDU, Wednesday, AFP