Nepal government has decided to sack Army Chief Rukmangad Katuwal for defying the civilian government. Reports in Kathmandu say that Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda has formally informed President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav.
Government-run Radio Nepal and Nepal Television informed the people that the government has appointed Kul Bahadur Khadga as the acting Army Chief in Katuwal’s place.
However, Nepali Congress leaders have been openly urging the President to impose a Presidential rule (Emergency).
The Maoist-led coalition government has remained defunct for nine months due to vendetta political gambles within the government. Four other parties have aligned against the Maoists, who head the government.
Maoists, after having entered the mainstream peace process, emerged as the largest political party in Nepal through the 10-April Constituent Elections in 2008.
Other parties, including the Nepali Congress (now outside of the government) have aligned with the Army Chief saying that Maoists challenged the civilian supremacy. But Maoists have argued that they have tried to maintain civilian supremacy by sacking the Army Chief who disobeyed government orders.