The uncertainties regarding the political process in Nepal and the peace process continued with failure of the CPN-UML to form a government despite the support of 22 political parties. The Unified CPN-Maoists blocked the parliamentary proceedings demanding that the President withdraw his 'unconstitutional' order to reinstate the sacked army chief and restore 'civilian supremacy'1.

Meanwhile, Prachanda, the chairman of the Unified CPN-Maoist stated on May 17 that his party would launch a nationwide agitation to establish civilian supremacy in the country. He also charged that ‘regressive’ forces were hatching conspiracies to derail the peace process2.

Reports also noted that the Maoists had begun to revive 'parallel or people’s government’s in several villages in the mid-western districts in Nepal, as according to a member, after the resignation of the PM, the country was without a government3. The UCPN-Maoist Central Secretariat member Chandra Prakash Gajurel on his part stated that President Ram Baran Yadav had given the Maoists a “golden opportunity to bring the revolution to an end through Peoples’ Uprising III4.”

In other developments, Nepal and India agreed to construct a 41-km oil pipeline between Raxaul in India and Amlekhgunj in Nepal.

Reports also noted that the Maoists have warned against the screening of Indian movies and that it was time to stop the “Indian political, cultural and economic invasion of Nepal5.”

• 1. “House stalemate continues,” nepalnews.com, May 15, 2009, at http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2009/may/may15/news11.php
• 2. “Chairman: UCPN-M to launch nationwide agitation in Nepal,” www.chinaview.cn, May 17, 2009, at http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-05/17/content_11390482.htm
• 3. “Maoist resurrect 'parallel govts',” kantipuronline.com, May 14, 2009, at http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=194218
• 4. “Nepal Maoist threaten Revolt, State Capture: Sunday Mass meets,” The Telegraph Nepal, May 18, 2009, at http://telegraphnepal.com/news_det.php?news_id=5431
• 5. “Ban imposed on screening of Indian movies in Nepal”, The Telegraph Nepal, May 17, 2009, at http://www.telegraphnepal.com/news_det.php?news_id=5428