| Postponed CA Elections Raps
Politics and bureaucracy collide to produce new scenario in Nepal. The election chief says he needs at least 3 more months (beyond June 20) to prepare for the constituent assembly elections. The Maoist waste no time in trying to reap political capital out of this postponement. They resort to a call to declare the country a republic, threat to pull out of the interim government, and walk out of a cabinet meeting. TOI reports the Maoists also see Indian conspiracy in the postponement. The Nepali Times says rather than focusing on voters education, politicians have restarted political wrangling. Meanwhile, American ambassador James Moriarty hopes a new election date will be quickly fixed. He doubts Maoist victory in CA elections. VOA's Steve Herman reports on the new developments [But he gets the wrong photo for Amik Sherchan. Oops Steve!]
• Cabinet meeting suspended as Maoist ministers walk out, Malaysia Sun
• Maoists blame Indian Hindu fundamentalists, TOI
• Educating voters, Nepali Times
• Moriarty on CA elections and more,
• Nepal thrust into political confusion, VOA
• CIAA Summons Eleven ‘Kingpins’, Himalayan Times
• Armed group attacks police station in south Nepal, china post
• Unacceptable conditions: Carter center, Nepal Monitor