January 1

Deputy Commander of the Maoist?s PLA Chandra Dev Khanal aka Baldev said that they would continue their struggle until they were integrated into the national Army. Our weapons will remain with us till the formation of a national army by merging the PLA and Nepal Army (NA), Khanal said.

January 2

The Unified CPN-Maoist called for Kailali District closure protesting against the Nepal Army patrolling at Dudejhari. Five persons including a junior Police officer were killed in Kailali violence on December 4, 2009 after the Police used force to evict the Maoists-backed illegal landless squatters who had transgressed the Dudejhari forest.

January 3

The Constitutional Committee under the Constituent Assembly, scheduled to complete its first preliminary draft of the constitution, failed to do so after leaders, including those from big three parties, declined to sign the draft.

The Unified CPN Maoist decided neither to support the seventh amendment bill of the interim constitution tabled by the Government nor file an amendment proposal on it.

Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal warned that the state will not remain a mute-spectator if the Unified CPN Maoist tries to capture the State power.

January 4

The Unified CPN-Maoist said the party is ready to reconsider about the autonomous states being based on ethnicity, sex, region and geography.

January 5

Rastriya Jana Morcha (RJM) gave a call for bandh in Seti and Mahakali zones as part of its agitation against federalism.

The Unified CPN-M decided to focus the fourth phase of their nationwide agitation "to protect national sovereignty and integrity" upon reaching the conclusion that it is in "serious danger" and endorsed the political report tabled by party ?chairman? Pushpa Kamal Dahal at central committee (CC) meeting of the party that concluded in the party headquarters at Paris Danda in Koteshwor.

The Nepali Congress (NC) party accused the Unified CPN-M of inviting conflict and hindering the peace process and constitution writing schedule.

The Army Integration Special Committee started deliberation on the proposal tabled by Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, aimed at finishing all works related to the Maoist combatants, including their integration, by April 30, 2010.

January 6

Unidentified assailants shot dead two cadres of the Unified CPN-Maoist and a local resident at Ganjabhawanipur in the Bara District. The attackers were cadres of the Terai Mukti Morcha (TMM).

MJF, which on December 4 had announced the second Madhes movement, again decided to start protest programmes from mid January. However, the party was yet to unveil the details of the protest programmes likely to begin from January 16.

Rastriya Jana Morcha (RJM) called for a general shutdown in five Districts of Narayani zone as part of its agitation against federalism.

January 7

At least eight persons were injured in a clash between the cadres of the YCL and Youth Force, the youth wing of the CPN-UML, at Madirambeni VDC. Six activists of the Youth Force and two cadres of YCL were injured in the clash. The clash ensued after the YCL started to seize maize of a local resident Ramalaya Guthi.

The first batch of 201 former child soldiers of the People?s Liberation Army (PLA) -155 minors and 46 who were recruited after the cut-off date- left the second division main cantonment site at Dudhauli. The Dhudhauli camp was home to 372 disqualified combatants who failed the verification process carried out by the UNMIN in December 2007.

The Unified CPN-Maoist agreed in principle to integrate PLA combatants with Nepal Army within 112 days as per the action plan proposed by Prime Minister (PM) Madhav Kumar Nepal.

PM Nepal while addressing his party (CPN-UML) cadres in Bharatpur said that the Maoists will be reduced to ashes as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) of Sri Lanka if they again resort to another revolt.

January 8

The big three parties - Unified CPN-Maoist, CPN-UML and Nepali Congress (NC) - announced the formation of High Level Political Mechanism (HLPM) to end the political deadlock.

Hours after agreeing to join a high-level political mechanism, which is widely seen as a breakthrough in the efforts to find an outlet to the protracted political impasse, Unified CPN-Maoist chairman Prachanda warned that his party would launch 'people's revolt' if the country does not get a new constitution on time and the peace process gets derailed.

The CPN-Maoist-led by Matrika Yadav claimed that the disqualified combatants who were discharged from the UN-monitored cantonments have joined the party. The breakaway faction of the Unified CPN-Maoist made such claims amid a function in Dhankuta District, a day after the discharge of disqualified Maoist combatants began.

January 11

Parsa District's Assistant Chief District Officer (CDO) Balbahadur Malla was injured and his bodyguard Anandaraj Khadka was shot dead in gunfire attack in the District headquarters Birgunj. Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM) cadre Sanjeev took the responsibility of the killing by making telephone calls to the local Media.

The Unified CPN-Maoist is due to hold mass assembly at some three border encroached regions as part of its fourth phase of agitation. Senior leaders of the party have already reached the Nepal-India border regions to address the programme.

January 12

A Unified CPN-Maoist leader was shot dead in Bara District. The slain leader was identified as Rajesh Mandal (30), who was in charge of the Maoists' Bhojpura Rajya Samiti at Parsa area no. 2. A caller, who identified himself as a member of an underground armed outfit Terai Army, claimed responsibility for the killing.

January 13

At least six persons were injured when activists of the CPN-UML clashed with the Nepali Congress (NC) activists at Bariyapur in Rautahat District. All the injured are said to be CPN-UML activists. The activists of the two ruling allies confronted over the election of school management committee.

Rastriya Jana Morcha (RJM) party called for a bandh (general shutdown) in Mechi and Koshi zones as part of its agitation against federalism. The bandh left only a partial impact in the eastern region.

Normal life in Rupandehi, Kapilvastu and Nawalparasi Districts is affected due to the Madhesh banda (general shutdown) called by the Unified CPN-Maoist protesting against the killing of its cadre in Bara on January 12.

The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon tabled the latest quarterly report on Nepal's peace process at the UNSC. The UN stated that Nepal's peace process has remained largely stalled over the past three months, with tensions and mistrusts between the Unified CPN-Maoist, the Government and the Army threatening its very survival.

January 14

Unified CPN-Maoist Chairman Prachanda agreed to induct Prime Minister (PM) Madhav Kumar Nepal as an ?invitee member? of the newly formed High Level Political Mechanism (HLPM) and include other party leaders as well. Prachanda who was earlier against including PM Nepal in the HLPM.

Normal life in the Terai region was back to normalcy after the Unified CPN-Maoist called off their banda (general shutdown) in view of the Makar Sankranti (a Hindu festive day) in the afternoon.

January 15

The Nepal Army (NA) refuted the Unified CPN-Maoist?s claim that NA brought a large quantity of arms and ammunition from India through the Sunauli border in the night of January 14.

Maoist cadres showed black flags at President Dr Ram Baran Yadav in Panauti of Kavre District, when he arrived there to inaugurate a ceremony marking the Makar Mela (a Hindu festival).

January 17

Nepal Army (NA) concluded that the Unified CPN-Maoist has not renounced its military character and that its youth wing, the YCL is more dangerous to the ongoing peace process than the combatants staying in cantonments.

The third division cantonment of the UCPN-Maoist at Shaktikhor in Chitwan District, bid adieu to 222 out of 258 disqualified combatants at a function. The remaining 36 fighters would be released on January 27 once their pre-SLC exams are over.

Inaugurating a two-day seminar of peace committees Minister for Peace and Reconstruction Rakam Chemjong said the Government would hold talks with only those outfits that have political objectives.

The Parliament amended all provisions related to monarchy in some 108 different Acts and annulled some of them.

January 18

At least three activists of Tarun Dal, youth wing of Nepali Congress (NC) party, were injured after being attacked by YCL cadres in the Rasuwa District.

The Special Committee on the Supervision, Integration and Rehabilitation of Maoist Combatants agreed on the procedures for supervision, control and mobilisation and the code of conduct that would free former Maoist combatants from the Maoist party?s chain of command and bring them under Government control.

January 19

The Unified CPN-Maoist requested the visiting US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Patrick Moon to remove the party from the 'terrorist list'.

While speaking at a programme in Khalanga in Salyan District, Maoist Chairman Prachanda warned that the party will resort to war if the incumbent Government tries to derail the peace process.

January 20

The Government clarified that Defence Minister Bidhya Bhandari's remark on the issue of army integration was entirely her own and not an official position of the Government.

Maoist cadres captured approximately 29 hectares (579 ropanies) of private land in Mahadevsthan VDC in Kavre District.

The Maoist-affiliated All Nepal Farmers Association activists captured 21 hectares (32 bighas) of private land in Hathausa in Kapilvastu District.

Maoist activists also captured 13 hectares of private land at the Dainiya VDC in Morang District.

The Constituent Assembly (CA) Committee on State Restructuring and Distribution of State Powers chose the 14-state model out of two alternative models proposed by a sub-committee.

January 21

The UNSC voted to extend the UNMIN term by nearly four months. The Government had urged the UN to extend the UNMIN term until the Army integration process completes.

Around 622 disqualified Maoist combatants were discharged from the fourth division cantonment at Jhyaltungdanda in Nawalparasi.

January 22

The Unified CPN-Maoist called off its indefinite general strike for 'civilian supremacy', which was scheduled to start from January 24. The party took the decision citing positive discussion during the meeting of the HLPM towards resolving the political impasse.

Samyukta Madhesi Loktantrik Morcha, a conglomerate of four Madhes based parties, MJF, MJF-Loktantrik, TMLP and Sadbhawana Party, took an exception to the report prepared and submitted by CA Committee on State Restructuring and Distribution of State Powers saying the report will disintegrate Madhes if implemented.

January 24

Prime Minister (PM) Madhav Kumar Nepal said that Maoist combatants who want to be integrated in the Nepal Army (NA) should give up their affiliation with the Unified CPN-M and vow that they will not politicise the Army.

January 26

Cadres of the Terai Janatantrik Party (Madhes) abducted Sitapur VDC secretary Indra Bahadur Shrestha and subsequently killed him at Manpur in Banke District.

Businesspersons and political leaders of Surkhet District condemned the threat given by Unified CPN-Maoist to stop work at Upper Karnali.

Maoist chairman Prachanda met Nepali Congress president and coordinator of the high-level political mechanism (HLPM) Girija Prasad Koirala and reportedly stressed that the Maoist demands regarding 'civilian supremacy' and 'national independence' should be discussed at the HLPM and arrive at a conclusion on them at the earliest.

January 27

Around 15-16 cadres of the ANNISU-R, the student wing of the Unified CPN-Maoist, attacked Nepali Congress affiliated Nepal Student Union (NSU) District member Rajkumar Dangi at Narayani Salyani conference hall near Mahendra Multiple Campus in Dang.

The MJF and Tharuhat Struggle Committee came together for a joint agitation against what they call the disintegration of Madhesh into two States. Earlier, the two ethnic groups were against each other.

January 28

Two PLA first division section commanders, Raju Magar alias Sambeg and Suman Luitel alias Bikash, were arrested along with weapons and explosive materials from Itahari in Sunsari District while they were trying to collect ransom from Dharan-based businessman Nabin Raj Bhandari.

The Parliament passed the seventh amendment bill to the interim constitution by a two-third majority enabling president, vice president, Prime Minister and ministers to take oath of office and secrecy in their mother tongues. The Parliament also passed a resolution to reactivate the defunct post of vice president.

January 29

A patrol team of the Armed Police Force (APF) arrested three persons affiliated to different underground armed groups operating in the Terai region while they were going towards Samanpur in Rautahat District from Sarlahi District.

Cadres of the YCL searched a bus reserved by the CPN-UML activists till Jhagajholi Ratamata VDC, where the regional convention of the party?s Sindhuli Constituency-3 was to be held and ?detained? four CPN-UML activists including the party?s central committee member Keshav Devkota, along with arms.

Central committee member of the NC and Former Home Minister Khum Bahadur Khadka said at a press meet in Narayangarh that the party is in need to form an armed youth squad.

January 30

NC acting President Sushil Koirala said that the Maoist combatants can not be integrated in the Nepal Army (NA).

January 31

A meeting of the Special Committee for Supervision, Integration and Rehabilitation of the PLA combatants in the capital endorsed its work procedure regarding the chain-of-command of the PLA, ensuring that they will no longer be on the Unified CPN-Maoist control.

The Unified CPN-Maoist decided that the party will announce its further protests only after holding discussion with newly formed HLPM about their demands.

The Unified CPN-Maoist cadres greeted Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Saradsingh Bhandari with black flags in his own constituency in Mahottari District when he reached Gaushala of the District.

February 1

Pasang Sherpa, an entrepreneur of Chainpur in Sankhuwasabha WAS allegedly abducted by around 22 Maoists saying they wanted to interrogate him regarding a truck carrying illegal goods that was impounded by Revenue Investigation Unit Office, Itahari, some days back.

Nepal Police recovered illegal weapons from the residence of Madhusudhan Ray Yadav, a cadre belonging to Jwala Singh group of the JTMM, at Sonaraniya VDC in Rautahat of Birgunj District.

The Subedi faction of the CPN- Unified and Unified CPN-Maoist have decided to merge during a meeting between the two parties.

The Unified CPN-Maoist declared people?s revolt implausible in Nepal. He, however, maintained that the standing committee meeting would finalise the protest plan on February 3.

The ruling parties called the main opposition Unified CPN-Maoist not to use the People's Liberation Army fighters residing in the UN-monitored cantonments in any programme that will be organised to mark the 14^th anniversary of the People's War to be held on February 14.

February 2

The Nepal Police shot dead a ?commander? of Jwala Singh faction of JTMM-J, identified as Motiram Dusad alias ?Kalicharan? (26), in an encounter in Parsa District.

The Police arrested 10 cadres of Matrika Yadav-led CPN-Maoist in charge of extortion and battery in Butwal District, includING Rupendehi District secretary Dan Bahadur Gharti.

The Police arrested 11 cadres of the Unified CPN-Maoist, including Kochila State Committee Secretariat member Mohan Timsina, from the ward office of the party in Janata Basti of Itahari District for their involvement in the abduction of Pasang Sherpa, an entrepreneur of Chainpur in Sankhuwasabha.

Cadres of ?All Nepal Landless Association? and ?All Nepal Farmers Association? affiliated to the Unified CPN-Maoist captured 13 hectares of private land in Topgachhi VDC of Jhapa District. Maoist sources claimed that the land was captured as per party?s decision.

February 3

The ?central chairman? of the ?Terai Army?, Sanjaya Sah alias Mister Sagar and another cadre, Baliram Das Tatma, surrendered before the District Police Office in Rauthat District.

The Unified CPN-Maoist has decided to launch its fifth phase of protest, as decided in its standing committee meeting. The Unified CPN-Maoist would conduct expose campaigning from February 13 to April 6 to put pressure on the constitution drafting and peace process, said the Maoist spokesperson Dinanath Sharma.

The MJF chairman Upendra Yadav called the Madheshi people to revolt "since the other political parties were preparing to impose a presidential rule in the country instead of drafting a constitution" in Rajbiraj of Saptari District. Yadav urged his party cadres to come out with batons to ?safeguard? the region.

The Unified CPN-Maoist vice chairman, Baburam Bhattarai, dismissed the demand for State Restructuring Commission.

February 4

Police arrested six Unified CPN-Maoist cadres in Itahari District in the charge of abducting a businessman. According to the Police sources, the Maoists were arrested under the Public Offence Act.

The Unified CPN-Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda declared in a press conference in Koteshwar in Kathmandu District to limit his party?s fifth phase agitation to people?s mobilisation only expecting the High Level Political Mechanism to address the demands it has been raising.

Three left parties - CPN-Maoist led by Matrika Yadav, Revolutionary Communist Party-Nepal led by Mani Thapa and CPN-United led by Rishi Kattel- announced two-month long protest program from February 4^th putting forth an Eight-Point demand including preparing the statute in time.

February 5

Nawal Yadav, suspected cadre of the JTMM, was shot dead in crossfire between the Security Force personnel and an armed group in Balabakhar Village Development Committee of Dhanusa

12 Unified CPN-Maoist activists were injured when they clashed with Police at Sangam Chowk in Chitwan District.

Sunsari District Police released the Unified CPN-Maoist cadres after the Maoists warned of indefinite bandh (general shut down).

The Unified CPN-Maoist Vice-Chairman, Mohan Baidya alias Kiran, said that the High-Level Political Mechanism (HLPM) has got the power to change the Government. Deputy Prime Minister Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar, however, challenged the very statement that the HLPM holds no legal rights to change the Government.

February 6

Khambuwan National Front (KNF) warned 6 to launch an arm conflict if the Government fails to establish a separate State of Khambuwan. The KNF President, R.K. Khambu, also demanded State restructuring on the basis of nationality, culture and historical realities.

February 7

The Police arrested a central member belonging to Pawan faction of the SJTMM, identified as Ravi Dutta Mishra alias Raj Guru in Kapilvastu District. Police revealed that Raj Guru is also ?chief of western and the far western command? of the armed outfit.

The CPN-UML Vice Chairman Bamdev Gautam claimed that with the kind of preparations so far there was no way the new constitution would be promulgated on the slated timeframe of May 28.

February 8

The release of 268 disqualified PLA combatants from the Unified CPN-Maoist Fifth Division Cantonment in Rolpa District brought one month of rigorous discharge process to an end.

The Deputy Prime Minister Bijay Kumar Gachhadar mentioned that the term of the Constituent Assembly should not be extended. Gachhadar insisted on the Constitution to be drafted within May 28. The new Constitution can be drafted within eight to ten days if the Unified CPN-Maoist, Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of CPN-UML forge consensus, he added.

February 9

The Unified CPN-Maoist has adopted a policy to recruit the PLA combatants recently discharged from various cantonments across the country in its youth wing YCL.

Chairman of Terai outfit Madhes Mukti Tigers (MMT) Raman Singh in Saptari District on February 8 declared that his group was ready to hold talks with the Government if the latter creates a suitable environment.

February 10

Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal accused the Unified CPN-Maoist of taking ?undue advantages? of its combatants confined in United Nations-monitored cantonments.

The Deputy Prime Minister Sujata Koirala said in Biratnagar District that High Level Political Mechanism (HLPM) was formed not to topple the Government but to cooperate with it, and to defuse the political deadlock.

February 11

The Chairman of the Unified CPN-Maoist Prachanda warned that the president?s post will be defunct first, if the country fails to get the constitution on time. He also opposed leaders? views that the tenure of Constituent Assembly could be prolonged in case the new constitution was not written on time.

Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal said that the new constitution will be promulgated on time at any cost. Adding to this, Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist Chairman Jhalanath Khanal mentioned that the political deadlock should be resolved in a package

February 12

Sambhu Ydav, a regional leader of the Unified CPN-Maoist, was killed by an unidentified group at Sonaroya VDC in Rautahat District The Unified CPN-Maoist declared a bandh (general shut down) in Bhojpur, Bara and Rautahat Districts.

The cadres of Matrika Yadav led Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist vandalized a house and expelled the entire family from the village at Zeromile in Dhangadi District.

Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal proposed on the management and integration of the Maoist Combatants in the HLPM. The HLPM meeting ended inconclusively as the political parties differed on the issues of including other political parties in the mechanism.

February 13

Cadres of the Unified CPN-Maoist captured half an acre of land in the Urlabari area of Morang District. Co-secretary of the Maoists, Morang District Committee Khem Raj Pradhan said the land was captured on the occasion of people's war Anniversary.

Cadres of Matrika Yadav-led CPN-Maoist also captured private land in Morang District.

February 14

Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal said that Maoist Chairman Prachanda?s ambiguous statements have raised doubts over timely promulgation of the new constitution despite the Government?s hard-won effort. While saying that the top priority of the Government is to establish lasting peace in the country by accomplishing the tasks of Army integration and constitution promulgation, the PM accused Unified CPN-Maoist of being the major obstacle in statute drafting.

February 16

A team of Unified CPN-Maoist led by Constitution Assembly members Amar Tamu and Buddhiram Tamu stopped the work at a hydro-project in Taghrin VDC in Lamjung District. Amar Tamu, the Maoist leader said the project was halted as per the policy of the party. The Maoists also posted a notice at the site mentioning the project will not be allowed to resume without the permission of the locals.

The Unified CPN-Maoist vice chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha dismissed the stance of ruling political parties that integration and rehabilitation of Maoist combatants should be done before the promulgation of the constitution. He claimed that ?army integration? means integration of all the PLA members into the army.

The CPN-UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal said that the HLPM, of which he is a member, failed to diffuse the political crisis in the country.

February 17

Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) employees, supporters of Unified CPN-Maoist took away the car used by CPN-UML leader K. P. Sharma Oli from NEA premises. The employees who seized Oli?s car said they seized the car as it was being used unauthoritatively and that it was not returned despite several requests.

The Unified CPN-Maoists reactivated ?People?s Court? in Sankhuwasabha District, violating the CPA. The people?s court has begun giving verdicts, including physical punishments, said Dibyaraj Baral, Khandbari city in-charge of the Maoists.

The Unified CPN-Maoist began two-day training for party cadres from across the country at Kharipati in Bhaktapur District. Party General Secretary Ram Bahadur Thapa said the training would reach a conclusion on issues including whether more movement and revolution is needed or not, whether the revolution should be given continuity or not.

February 18

The Unified CPN-Maoist Vice Chairman Baburam Bhattarai warned that serious consequences may arise if the salaries of the Maoist combatants are stopped by the Government. Talking UNMIN Chief Karen Landgren, Bhattarai said it will be a breach of CPA if the Government takes such step.

The meeting of HLPM is underway at its Co-coordinator Girija Prasad Koirala's residence in Kathmandu. All HLPM members?Unified CPN-Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and CPN-UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal?are expected to take part in it.

Unified CPN-Maoist Chairman Prachanda said peace process and the constitution-drafting are the main priorities of his party at the moment, asking his party cadres to be focused on these twin agendas. Saying that the coming three months would mark a very critical phase, Dahal said the 'revolution' waged by the Maoist party would soon take a decisive turn.

February 19

The Unified CPN-Maoist cadres stopped a truck belonging to the APF in Dhading District charging the APF men of importing large numbers of arms and explosives from India. The APF said that they were bringing necessary equipments for the training from Bardaghat of Nawalparasi District. The Police released the truck using force.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala, also a NC leader, warned to withdraw her party?s support to the incumbent coalition Government if the CPN-UML did not correct its modus operandi.

The central committee members of the CPN-UML loyal to Jhala Nath Khanal, the party president, demanded Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal to step down for what they called his failure to bring about a consensus and take forward the peace process.

Leaders of the NC and the CPN-UML, for the first time, agreed to dwell on the Maoists? agenda of power sharing at a meeting of the HLPM in Kathmandu. They, however, did not elaborate on the modality of power sharing. As per a six-point deal struck in the January 5, 2010, meeting the leaders agreed to make ?power-sharing? an issue of the HLPM.

February 20

The Unified CPN-Maoist planned to enlarge its central committee on February 20, adding 35 more members in the 140-member body, reports Nepal News. A meeting of the party's Standing Committee gave nod to a proposal to extend the central committee in Koteshwar District.

February 20-21

The MJF called a bandh on February 21, to protest Police action against its cadres on February 20, at Krishna Nagar of Kapilvastu District. According to MJF chief whip and Constituent Assembly member Abhishek Pratap Sah, a team from Armed Police Force Base Camp, Krishna Nagar, misbehaved and beat up his party cadres. Vehicular movement, factories, educational institutions and markets have been shut down due to the bandh in the District.

The Unified CPN-Maoist Chairman Prachanda ruled out timely statute under the CPN-UML-led Govt.

February 22

The Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal mentioned that the constitutional bodies' positions remained vacant due to the absence of Unified CPN-Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal at the Constitutional Council (CC) meeting. The prime minister said that the leader of main opposition party never showed up at the CC meeting when at least six?of the seven?members should attend it to move ahead.

Two cadres of JTMM-J, Jhamkarai Yadav and Birendra Yadav, were shot dead in a clash between the Police team and the JTMM-J cadres. The Police have found a set of pistols from the incident area.

TheNC General Secretary Kul Bahadur Gurung said that the Maoist leaders are not positive towards the HLPM. The NC leader also said that his party has not prepared any groundwork to form a Maoist-led Government.

The Peace Minister Rakam Chemjong declared that the Government would determine the number of Maoist combatants to be integrated into the national army taking into account the number of weapons verified by the UNMIN. As per the UNMIN records, the number of weapons with the Maoists is 3400. Though the Maoists are demanding integration of UNMIN-verified 19,602 combatants, the Government is reluctant to take up all of them in the Nepal Army. "Since UNMIN has verified only 3400 weapons of the Maoists, the same number could only be integrated," the peace minister said. Chemjong said that the government has the work plan of concluding the integration process within a month by applying the concept of "One combatant, one weapon"

February 23

Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal urged the Unified CPN-Maoist not to put obstacle on the roadmap set by the Constituent Assembly (CA) to promulgate the new constitution by May 28, 2010. He mentioned that the current coalition Government is committed to peace process and timely constitution. Dismissing calls for extending CA's tenure by next six months, he said CA does not need additional time to write the constitution.

The internal taskforce, formed by the ruling CPN-UML proposed a national consensus Government. The taskforce also proposed that the party should be open for a Maoist-led Government, provided the main opposition meets "certain conditions." The party?s main conditions, among others, are that the Unified CPN-Maoist must vacate the cantonments and return all seized properties before May 28, 2010.

The MJF-L called for an end to political deadlock in the country. The MJF-L also asked the Government to implement the eight-point agreement that was concluded with the Madhesi parties in February 2008. Similarly, in terms of the new constitution, the party mentioned that the constitution must be promulgated on time by taking the Unified-CPN-Maoists in confidence. "If the statute is not formed within the deadline, then the three major parties will be responsible for that," it added.

The Central Committee (CC) meeting of the Unified CPN-Maoist failed to take decision on proposed expansion of the party's CC, politburo and standing committee (SC). Failing to finalise names of the 35 new CC members, the meeting has forwarded the dispute to be resolved through state committees. The internal dispute has become sour after the proposal floated for expansion of CC, politburo and SC.

February 24

The six-member task force of the HLPM failed to finalise the common Shankalpa Prastav (stricture motion) proposed to settle the political stand-off, for the fourth day in succession. The HLPM, on February 20, had entrusted the task force a two-day time period with the responsibility of finalising the common motion and present it at the HLPM, no later than February 21.

The Unified CPN-Maoist Chairman Prachanda said that the new constitution would not be promulgated until there is a national unity Government led by his party.

The Nepali Janata Dal (NJD) said that it was withdrawing its support to the main opposition Unified CPN-Maoist. Saying that the party has lost faith in the Maoists, NJD?s leader Hari Charan Saha informed about the party?s decision to formally withdraw its support to the Maoists at a press meet in Birgunj of Parsa District.

The MJF withdrew the general strike that it had imposed throughout Kapilvastu District since February 20, protesting against the manhandling of its cadres by the police. A MJF lawmaker said that the party decided to lift the general strike after reaching an agreement with the local administration.

February 25

The CPN-ML General Secretary C. P. Mainali ruled out the possibility of drafting the new constitution within 90 days. The CPN-ML leader accused the Unified CPN-Maoist of delaying the constitution drafting.

The Unified CPN-Maoist deferred its plan to extend the Central Committee (CC). Concluding that the twin task of constitution drafting and logical conclusion of peace process was the major responsibility, the party CC meeting decided to focus its attention on the constitution drafting as the primary agenda.

The Unified CPN-Maoist is preparing to induct 300 combatants disqualified by the UNMIN and discharged recently into the Tamuwan State Committee of the party. The combatants will be deployed in the Tamuwan area. The Youth wing of the Unified CPN-Maoist, YCL claimed that the discharged combatants were imparting "physical training" to YCL cadres.

February 26

The Unified CPN-Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda said that the country needs "the final revolt" to write a new constitution in favour of poor people.. Speaking at the inaugural of a ?martyrs? memorial gate? set up by the Unified CPN-Maoist District committee in Damauli District Prachanda remarked that if anyone dares to corner the Maoists, the people will wreck havoc against the current Government.

Senior NC leader and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba said that the YCL should be dismantled at the earliest possible, Deuba accused that the Maoist paramilitary force was continuing illegal activities throughout the country.

February 27

A cadre YCL, Asha Ram Bishwakarma, was killed at Botechaur Bazaar in Surkhet District. The Unified CPN-Maoist has blamed the Youth Force (YF), youth wing of the CPN-UML for the killing. Two civilians, Hira Bishwakarma and Khim Bahadur Oli, sustained injuries in this incident.

February 28

The YCL cadres clashed with the YF in Bageshowori District. Eight persons - five from the YCL and three from the YF- were injured in this incident.

The Unified CPN-Maoist cadres attacked the Kusapani Police Station in Dailekh District in which seven Security Force personnel were injured. According to the Police sources the Maoist cadres took away some weapons from the station. The Maoists reportedly attacked the Police Station accusing the Police of arresting one of their fellow cadres.

March 1

The YCL called for an indefinite shutdown in Surkhet District protesting against the killing of its fellow cadres.

Two major coalition allies?CPN-UML and NC?have become ready to talk about the change of guard with the main opposition party Unified CPN-Maoist. A joint meeting of the ruling CPN-UML and the NC held here in the capital finalized the six-point agenda for the discussion with the Maoists.

The Constituent Assembly (CA) will hold its 94^th meeting from March 3, 2010. The meeting will kick off after three weeks. The meeting is set to amend the CA Calendar of Events for the 10^th time. The last CA meeting was concluded on February 4.

March 3

HLPM meeting of the three major political parties, Unified CPN-Maoist, CPN-UML and NC failed to forge an understanding on the terms of Reference of State Restructuring Commission.

The Standing Committee member of the ruling CPN-UML K. P. Sharma Oli said in Chitwan District that the cases of shootings on the media persons was a legacy of the Maoist insurgency.

One leader of the CPN-UML, Laxam Yadav, managed to escape unhurt when an unidentified armed gang opened fire in Saptari District.

March 4

Nine Police men and two Unified CPN-Maoist cadres were injured in a clash when Police tried to evict the Maoists from the property of a local landowner at Sauraha inBacheli VDC of Chitwan District. The Maoists also disrupted Narayanghat-Hetauda road section following the incident.

Nepal Student Union (NSU) activist Suresh Tamang sustained injury when cadres of YCL and the members of the NC clashed in Dhading District.

The Vice-President of the Unified CPN-Maoist Baburam Bhattarai said that all United Nations verified combatants must be integrated for new constitution. He mentioned that the new constitution wont' be drafted unless all 19,000 Maoist combatants verified by the UNMIN are integrated.

The leaders of the NC warned in Sanepa of Lalitpur District that the country will plunge into a serious crisis if the NC makes a power sharing deal with the Unified CPN-Maoist, saying the Maoists has betrayed the party time and again in the past.

A Constituent Assembly (CA) committee formed to study the preliminary reports of CA's 11 thematic committees submitted the report of Committee to Determine the Structure of Constitutional Bodies to the full House of the CA.

March 5

The Unified CPN-Maoist leader Krishna Bahadur Mahara said that conflict existed mainly within four major political parties in the Constituent Assembly. He added that "Conflict is underway between regressive, status-quoists, progressive and transformers". "We are for pro-people and progressive statute," he asserted.

Leaders of the ruling NC and CPN-UML held bilateral discussions on making appointments in constitutional bodies, which have remained vacant for a long time due to non-cooperation by the main opposition Unified CPN-Maoist party.

The Chairman of the main opposition party Unified CPN-Maoist Prachanda said that the country could get the constitution with the two-third majority of leftists in the Constituent Assembly if they could be united. "It?s possible to make a single communist centre through ideological and political struggle," he added.

March 7

Unified CPN-Maoist chairman Prachanda asked the YCL to counter those opposing the pro-people constitution and attacking its leaders and cadres. YCL Newa State Committee in-charge Chandra Bahadur Thapa alias Sagar said that YCL will initiate programmes to counter increasing attacks on Maoists as per chairman?s direction

Minister for Information and Communication Shanker Pokharel claimed that the Maoists are preparing for another revolt instead of focusing their energy in constitution making task. He also said that the Maoists are the "source" of guns and weapons that has led to increase in crime and other law and order problems in the country.

March 8

Four Police personnel have been injured in a scuffle with the Unified CPN-Maoist cadres in Kanchanpur District.

YCL has set the stage to launch what it has described as a 'national youth campaign.

Unified CPN-Maoist Chairman Prachanda said that conspirators were spreading rumour that the Maoists were planning revolt.

March 9

At least six children were injured when a bomb exploded in front a health post at Ramgunj, in Sunsari District. JTMM has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Police evicted CPN-Maoist and its affiliated outfit Nepal Farmers Association-Revolutionary (ANFA-Revolutionary) cadres squatting on the premises of Gaindakot-based Santachuli Deluxe Hotel in Nawalparasi District.

Major political parties? leaders underscored that the integration and management of the Maoist combatants should be taken ahead by forging agreement among the parties.

The Constituent Assembly has amended constitution-writing calendar for the tenth time. The tenth amendment, however, has not changed the final date for promulgation of the constitution, which is scheduled for May 28, 2010.

Leaders of the political parties in the Constituent Assembly have expressed their commitment to draft the new constitution within the prescribed time. In the March 9 Constitutional Committee meeting the leaders assured cooperation in the drafting process so the constitution gets promulgated within the deadline.

Chairman of the main opposition party Unified CPN-Maoist Prachanda expressed his hope of drafting the new statute in the given time frame of May 28.

March 10

The visiting United Nations Under Secretary General for Political Affairs B. Lynn Pascoe said that the Nepal?s peace process has become vulnerable.

Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal has reiterated that integration and rehabilitation of cantoned Maoist fighters should be completed before the promulgation of the constitution.

March 11

Visiting United Nations Under Secretary General B. Lynn Pascoe said that the number of Maoist combatants will be kept confidential as it is essential for UNMIN to live up to its commitment to impartiality.

The chairman of the Unified CPN-Maoist Prachanda said that the 10-year-long conflict is the main and the final cause behind the current change in the country.

March 12

Unified CPN-Maoist has called for a bandh (general shut down) in Bheri and Karnali zones for two days starting from March 13 over the death of their leader Rishi Gautam, who was knocked down by a passenger bus on March 11, 2010.

MJF and Tharu organisations announced their respective struggle plans to have their demands met by the Government.

CPN-UML has decided to reorganise and reactivate its youth wing, Youth Force (YF), which the party had declared defunct in December 2008- six months after it was formed.

CoAS General Chhatra Man Singh Gurung has made it clear that it will be difficult to integrate "politically indoctrinated" Maoist combatants into the Nepal Army in bulk. 

March 13

 The US has ruled out taking the Unified CPN-Maoist off its terrorist list until the Maoists have completely renounced violence.

March 14

Police arrested a cadre of the Unified CPN-Maoist, Sunita KC, with a 9-mm pistol and bullets from Chabahil of Kathmandu District. A youth, whose identity is yet to be ascertained, was also arrested with her.  Although, male Maoist cadres were arrested many times in the past, this is the first time a Maoist female cadre has been arrested with a pistol.

The main opposition Unified CPN-Maoist is preparing to challenge the Madhav Kumar Nepal-led Government by tabling a no confidence motion against it at the Parliament. The Unified CPN-Maoist chairman Prachanda has met the top leadership of MJF seeking the latter's support in his party's campaign to find an alternative to the current Government. MJF leader Jaya Prakash Gupta confirmed that Dahal met the top leaders of the party to request for their support in the Maoist drive against the Government. 

As the Maoists make hefty preparation to float a no confidence motion against the Government, Minister for Information and Communication Shanker Pokharel has said that the Government will face the Maoist challenge in a strong manner.

March 15

The Police resorted to use of moderate force to enforce the Supreme Court order and vacated a four-storey house being occupied by the Unified CPN-Maoist in the Teku area of Kathmandu District. Seven Policemen were injured in the clash with the Unified CPN-Maoist cadres.

India has decided to further strengthen security of its embassy in Kathmandu as a precautionary measure after getting a tip off that a terrorist group might target it. India has "sensed some danger" following intelligence inputs that Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Toiba may attack the embassy and target the diplomats posted there.

The Chairman of the Unified CPN-Maoist  Prachanda claimed that the rightists have been spending hefty amounts to split his party.

The main opposition Unified CPN-Maoist  proposed that issues related to the statute that have been agreed upon be endorsed at the next meeting of the Constituent Assembly (CA) and other contentious issues be resolved through voting. This will help the CA meet its May 28 deadline, the party said.

March 16

YCL cadres interrupted the tender bidding process called by the Urban Development and Building Construction Division Office (UDBCDO) in Gorkha District. UDBCDO last week had called tender for various nine projects to be carried out in Gorkha, Tanahu and Lamjung for the construction of the buildings destroyed during insurgency. "Only the Maoist-affiliated contractors could register their firms. Other construction entrepreneurs were not even allowed to bidding as Maoist district leaders and YCL activists threatened and prevented them from bidding," said Dhirajbabu Maskey, Chairman of Construction Entrepreneurs Association (CEA), Gorkha.

Due to intra-party differences, the Unified CPN-Maoist has decided not to table a no-confidence motion against the government for now, said party leaders, adding the party is considering whether to call for the special session of the parliament.

The main opposition parties Unified CPN-Maoist and MJF chose to skip the all party meeting called by Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal in his office at Singha Durbar (Parliament).

March 17

Secretary of Unified CPN-Maoist Post Bahadur Bogati, said that his party would give more priority to consensus-building in a last ditch effort to pave way for a Maoist led national unity Government than lodge no-confidence motion to topple it. He added that they would topple the Government "under any circumstances" if political consensus remains elusive.

The Minister for Information and Communications Shankar Pokharel said that a new leadership for the Government could be possible if the Unified CPN-Maoist changed itself into a civilian party.

March 18

The cadres of YCL assaulted a pregnant woman, Pushpa Nepali, 24, leaving her seriously injured in Dang District. The YCL cadres reportedly assaulted her following a press statement about timber smuggling jointly issued by Tarun Dal, Bagmare VDC secretary and Pushpa's husband Man Bahadur Pariyar a few days ago.

An unidentified armed group abducted an activist of the Unified CPN-Maoist, Ramprabesh Sah, from Jhunkhunwa VDC of Rautahat District. The whereabouts of the abducted person is still unknown, said his family.

Ram Kumari Jhakri, President of All Nepal National Free Students Union (ANNFSU), a student wing of the CPN-UML accused the UNMIN of trying to incite tension between the political parties and being "the Maoist party's spokesperson".

The Unified CPN-Maoist held intensive talks with 11 fringe parties at its Parliamentary Party office in Singha Durbar (Parliament). Emerging from the meeting, Unified CPN-Maoist vice chairman Baburam Bhattaari said that all the fringe parties were in agreement that a change in the current Madhav Kumar Nepal-led Government was necessary.

March 19

CPN-UML Standing Committee member Bharat Mohan Adhikari  charged the Unified CPN-Maoist of being an obstacle in the peace process. Speaking at a press meet organised by Palpa chapter of Press Chautari District, Adhikari said, the present situation has surfaced due to the Maoists' ultra-leftist views and terrorist activities.

The Unified CPN-Maoist has decided to expel its Brahman and Chhettri members of its Lumbuwan State Committee, for joining the newly formed organisations of Brahmans and Chhettris. The party has issued warning to its Brahman and Chhettri cadres who have joined the new oganisations to resign from the party within this week. The party said organisations of Brahmans and Chhettris are against party principles and policies of the party, adding these persons need to choose either the party or their own caste-based group.

March 21

Former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba said that qualified Maoist combatants could be integrated in different security bodies. He said that it should not be made a matter of discussion as it is clearly mentioned about the rehabilitation of the Maoist combatants in the Comprehensive Peace Accord.

March 23

Unified CPN-Maoist vice-chairman, Mohan Baidya alias Kiran has warned in Salyan District that the nation will see "fresh people's revolt" if the new constitution is not prepared by the stipulated timeframe.

Leaders of the Unified CPN-Maoist signed a Declaration formally discharging 1,614 disqualified combatants from the PLA who were absent in the formal discharge process conducted from January 6 to February 8, in Maoist cantonments across the country.

The debate has begun on the future leadership and fate of the HLPM, with the death of the guardian of Nepali politics Girija Prasad Koirala.

March 24

Nine cadres of the ANNISU-R student wing of Unified CPN-Maoist were injured in a clash with the Police at Dharan in Sansuri District.

The YCL has launched a signature campaign to pressurise the political parties for drafting the constitution on time and taking the peace process to a logical conclusion.

The Minister for Peace and Reconstruction Rakam Chemjong said in Biratnagar District that the new constitution can be drafted on time only after the integration and rehabilitation process of the ex-Maoist combatants is completed.

The Unified CPN-Maoist and NC have staked claim over the leadership of the three-party HLPM which was earlier headed by late NC president Girija Prasad Koirala.

March 25

An activist of the NSU, Shambu Adhikari, was assaulted by the cadres of ANNISU-R students? front of the Unified CPN-Maoist at Kawasoti in the Nawalparasi District.

March 26

One Unified CPN-Maoist cadre, Ram Ayodhi Yadav, was shot dead by an unidentified gang at Rampurbirta of Siraha District.

March 28

Janatantrik Terai Madhesh Mukti Morcha (JTMMM), a lesser known outfit, detonated a bomb in the office of Unified CPN-Maoist in Nepalgunj of Banke District.

The cadres of the Unified CPN-Maoist captured a piece of land belonged to former Food and Agriculture Minister Premraj Angdembe in Panchthar District.

The Chairman of CPN-Maoist Matrika Prasad Yadav accused the Unified CPN-Maoist of using the HLPM as a means to grab ruling power.

March 29

JTMM-J Mahottari District in-charge, Sudhir Pandey aka Dharmadas, was shot dead in Mahottari.

Eight activists of Rastriya Janamorcha Nepal (RJN) were injured when Unified CPN-Maoist cadres attacked them at Prithivi Chowk in Pokhara of Kaski District.

Unified CPN-Maoist has intensified bilateral discussions with different parties in an attempt to get their support against the current coalition Government.

MJF staged a rally in Kathmandu protesting the Government's failure to implement the agreement reached with Madheshi parties and demanding resignation of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal

March 30

The Constituent Assembly (CA) has on March 30 received a third report from the thematic committee to be considered and forwarded to the Constitutional Committee (CC), which remains without job for last several weeks.

March 31

MJF took out a motorcycle rally as part of its second phase of Madhesh general strike.  

The HLPM meeting agreed in principle to form the much-debated SRC. The mechanism comprising leaders of the major three political parties (Unified CPN-Maoist CPN-UML and NC) have decided to form the SRC in order to settle the differences among the parties over the forms of federal States to be adopted in the new constitution in the making.

Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal held separate meetings with the leaders of Madhesh-based parties in the present coalition in a bid to consolidate support for his Government. Nepal met MJF-L chairman and Deputy Prime Minister Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar, TMLP) chairman Mahantha Thakur and Sadbhawana Party chairman and Minister Rajendra Mahato.

Unified CPN-Maoist vice-chairman Baburam Bhattarai warned that the prospect of another bloody civil war is not a mere illusion.

April 1

Nepal Police have seized 19 small arms since September 17, 2009 in the Kathmandu Valley, a Police official said.

Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal who has intensified political consultations with leaders of various political parties since past one week has hinted at stepping down from his position if the situation requires so.

The PLA?s Technical Committee has demanded a sum of NPR two million or 3.38 hectares of land in Terai area for joining politics and not to join Army. 

April 2

The Constituent Assembly conducted its 100^th meeting. The meeting decided to forward the CA's directives and recommendations over the concept paper of the Committee to Determine the Rights of Minorities and Marginalised to the Constitutional Committee.

The YCL handed over 700,000 signatures to CA Chairman Subas Nemwang demanding promulgation of the new constitution within the stipulated date of May 28.

April 4

Chairman of MJF Upendra Yadav warned of overthrowing the incumbent CPN-UML led Government during the winter session of House.

MJF took out a torch rally in Rajbiraj of Saptari District as part of their second phase of Madhesh agitation.

Unified CPN-Maoist spokesman Dina Nath Sharma claimed that his party has secured a majority vote to topple the incumbent Government and form a national unity Government under the leadership of Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

Unified CPN-Maoist Chairman Prachanda placed three alternatives for the integration of the PLA.

April 6

Kaushal Kishwor Jha, a cadre of the Unified CPN-Maoist affiliated Madheshi Mukti Morcha, was abducted from his residence in Damahi Madai of Mahottari District.

Unified CPN-Maoist Vice Chairman Baburam Bhattarai warned that the nation could witness a 'deadly accident' if the new constitution did not take shape by May 28. 

MJF demanded the ouster of the incumbent Government led by the CPN- UML.

The Unified CPN-Maoist has announced the start of a new round of protests to uphold civilian supremacy, national integrity and for timely constitution drafting and peace in the country.

April 7

Unified CPN-Maoist politburo member Gopal Kiranti has said NC and CPN-UML lawmakers would be barred from Udaypur District as they had become an obstacle for the new constitution.

Unified CPN-Maoist politburo member Gopal Kirati said that his party will not allow the Government security personnel to enter the villages. Kirati, a former minister, said, "Security personnel obeying the orders of a Government neglected by people better stay off the villages."

April 8

The general strike enforced by the MJF-N has affected life in Terai districts. The MJF-N has been waging a protest movement calling for implementation of the 22-point agreement reached between the Government and the Madheshi parties in the past.

The Unified CPN-Maoist has called for nation-wide general strike on April 12 protesting against the Government decision to award the Machine Readable Passports (MRP) contract to India.

Chairman of  RPP-N Kamal Thapa has claimed the three big parties ? Unified CPN-Maoist, NC and CPN-UML have secretly made an agreement to extend the CA term.

MJF condemned the arrest of 15 of its protesters including their Mahottari District chairman Tej Narayan Yadav during their mass protest. Armed Police arrested the cadres to resume the general strike called by the party.

April 9

A YCL cadres assaulted five cadres of the Matrika-led CPN-Maoist, including the District in-charge, Bhim Prasad Chapagain, at Thumpokhara-6 in Bhaisekhola of Syangja District.  

The situation in Bajura District headquarter Martadi has returned to normalcy after Unified CPN-Maoist and CPN-UML leaders agreed to abstain from clashes.  

Former CoAS Rookmangud Katawal said in Lalitpur District that the Nepal Army would not remain silent if violence erupts in the nation after May 28, 2010, the deadline for the promulgation of the statute.

April 11

Unified CPN-Maoist attacked the State Minister for Energy Chandra Singh Bhattarai's vehicle at Dhaibung VDC in Rasuwa District.  Two Policemen were injured in the incident.

Unified CPN-Maoist cadres assaulted two CPN-UML activists at Dharapani of Arghakhanchi District. Two of the CPN-UML party men, Dev Bahadur Tamang and Baburam Tamang, sustained injury in this assault.

Cadres of Sanyukta Jatiya Mukti Morcha (SJMM) damaged and set ablaze the office of Chhatredeuli VDC of Dhading District.

Civilians citing the escalating atrocities of the Unified CPN-Maoist in the Dedeldhura District staged a demonstration against the party.

April 13

The CPN-UML has withdrawn the indefinite Rasuwa District shutdown it had called to protest the beating of its cadres by the Unified CPN-Maoist cadres.. In a press release the CPN-UML said the District-wide indefinite shutdown has been withdrawn in view of the Matatirtha Aunsi festival and the New Year.

After 15 hours of police detention for possession of a loaded pistol, Unified CPN-Maoist politburo member and YCL in-charge Kul Prasad KC alias Sonam and his bodyguard ? a battalion commander?Mahabir Rana Magar alias Sunil were released.

CPN-UML chairman Jhalanath Khanal said in Rukum District that the current Government will continue until a new national consensus is formed. Khanal alleged that the main opposition party Unified CPN-Maoist is the main hurdle for drafting the new statute on time.

April 14

The meetings of the Unified CPN-Maoist's politburo and standing committee scheduled to take place on April 14 have been deferred for April 15. The politburo and the standing committee of the Maoist party are to meet to decide the party's protest programmes against the current coalition Government and its strategy after May 28 provided the constitution does not get promulgated by then.

NC top leaders have clearly put forth four conditions before the Unified CPN-Maoist to dissolve the present Government and form a national consensus Government. The four conditions put forward by NC are return of seized property and land to the rightful owners, transformation of its youth wing YCL from its existing Para-military structure, clear plans for army and arms management before promulgating the constitution and a convincing commitment to show the Maoists have transformed themselves to a citizen party and renounced violence.

The meeting of the Army Integration Special Committee (AISC) for the Integration, Supervision and Rehabilitation of the Maoist combatants scheduled for April 14 was postponed yet again as the chiefs of the political parties were unable to allocate the time from their busy schedules. Earlier, on April 11, also AISC meet was postponed citing the same reason 'the busy schedules of the top leaders.

April 15

In a politburo meeting of the Unified CPN-Maoist party chairman Prachanda presented his views on the current political situation and the party?s immediate strategy. He said that "We must gear up for massive people?s movement to topple the Government, as it has failed to take the peace process to a logical end. Nor is it likely to draft the new constitution on time." Speaking on behalf of the chairman, Unified CPN-Maoist leader Barshaman Pun said, if Prime Minister does not resign soon, the Maoists will table a proposal of no-confidence in the parliament.

Minister for Commerce and Supplies Rajendra Mahato warned that Madheshi people would draft a separate statute if their demand-one Madhesh, one province-was not met. Addressing a mass meeting organised by his party, Mahato said, "We are demanding ?one Madhesh, one province?, not Madhesh as a separate country. But if our demand is not addressed, Madheshi people will draft their own statute and start ruling over Madhesh as a different country."

The leaders of the top two communist parties of the country CPN-UML and Unified CPN-Maoist have called for a national unity Government to resolve the current political deadlock and expedite the constitution-drafting and peace process.

April 16

At least 12 persons were injured when supporters of the Unified CPN Maoist clashed with those of the MJF-L in Kapilvastu. The clash occurred as Deputy Prime Minister Bijay Kumar Gachhadar was visiting the District. The fracas erupted in Barakulpur  VDC along the East-West Highway when Maoist activists waved black flags at Gachhadar, who is also the MJF-L chairman.

Maoists have issued threats to a school principal in Nuwakot District. They repeatedly warned Lal Bahadur Kuwar, principal of Bageshwori Higher Secondary School, over the phone that if he doesn't invalidate the election of the School Management Committee held four days ago, then anything might happen to him.

Five major ruling parties, minus Unified CPN-Maoist, have agreed on the Government proposal to integrate 3,000 Maoist combatants into the security forces in the first phase. The meeting of the Special Committee on integration, supervision and rehabilitation of the Maoist combatants held on April 16 in Singh Durbar took the decision. The committee had invited top leaders of the six big parties to be apprised on the activities carried out by it so far and take a decision on the number of combatants and the modality of integration. However, Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and two other Maoist members of the committee -Janardhan Sharma and Barsha Man Pun - were absent at the meeting.

The second day of the Unified CPN-Maoist?s politburo meeting at its party headquarters in Parisdanda in the capital ended after concluding that though the current Government is a major hindrance towards the formation of a national unity Government, but toppling it by taking a no-confidence motion against it will create a political turmoil and adversely affect the constitution drafting process. "So, if the current government doesn't step down to make way for a national unity government by May 1, we will then have to bring it down from the street," the party's chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal said after the meeting.

Even as the political leaders are expressing their doubts about timely promulgation of the new constitution, Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal told President Ram Baran Yadav that the promulgation of constitution-in-the making by May 18 has been out of question.

April 18

Chairman of the Matrika-led CPN-Maoist Matrika Yadav charged Unified CPN-Maoist of indulging in the dirty game of state capture by undermining the class struggle and achievements of 'people's war'. "The Unified CPN-Maoist going against the spirit of people's movement and Madhesh movement, is indulged in the politics of state capture", he said.

Minister of State for Local Development Ganesh Bahadur Khadka said that the new constitution could not be promulgated prior to finalising the issue of the PLA.

April 19

Unified CPN-Maoist's student wing, ANNISU-R has padlocked the account sections of various private schools in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur demanding the hiked tuition fees for the new academic session be revoked.

Unified CPN-Maoist has been providing physical training to its cadres and commoners across the nation in the name of preparing them for a possible people's rebellion.

ANNISU-R shut down all campuses and higher secondary schools in Kaski District.

Unified CPN-Maoist has demanded immediate resignation of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, saying he must step down to build consensus and pave the way for a national unity.

April 20

A person was killed and at least a dozen others injured in a clash between labourers affiliated to Unified CPN-Maoist trade union and local CPN-UML supporters over the appointment of workers at the Gorkha Brewery at Mukundapur of Nawalparasi District.

April 21

Normal life in Nawalparasi District was crippled due to the shutdown called by the Unified CPN-Maoist affiliated trade union in protest against the killing of one its labourer.

Cadres of the Unified CPN-Maoist attacked and injured two activists of CPN-UML and abducted one of Nepali Congress in separate incidents in Surkhet and Panchthar Districts.

Maoist cadres also abducted NC activist Ganesh Prasad Dulal in Panchthar District.

The Unified CPN-Maoist intensified physical training to youths in various Districts amidst criticism from other political parties and civil society.  

Unified CPN-Maoist  leader, C. P. Gajurel, has said that the ruling parties are conspiring to isolate his party by spreading rumours that the Maoists are providing "military training" to its cadres as well as commoners across the nation.

The HLPM fails to arrive at any decision to resolve the protracted political impasse, but leaders claimed they would reach a broad understanding at the next meeting of the mechanism slated for April 24.

April 22

An Unified CPN-Maoist cadre, Mahato, who was injured in a clash between the cadres of the Unified CPN-Maoist and CPN-UML in Mukundapur VDC of Nawalparasi District on April 21, succumbed to his injury.

Normal life was affected in Pokhara due to the strike called by the Unified CPN-Maoist student front ANNISU-R. The ANNISU-R called the strike protesting against the arrest of its cadres.

Unified CPN-Maoist vice-chairman Baburam Bhattarai warned that his party would bring hundreds of thousands of people in the streets to establish the "people's federal democratic republic" in the country if the constitution is not drafted as per the people's aspiration within May 28 deadline.

Deputy Prime Minister Bijay Kumar Gachhadar warned that the nation may head towards civil war if the Maoists do not stop their military trainings to their cadres.

April 23

A group of Unified CPN-Maoist cadres set ablaze   the CPN-UML District office in Nawalparsi leaving the office and its documents completely damaged. They also attacked and injured CPN-UML members including the office secretary Tulsi Pasi. 

Cadres of the ANNISU-R the student wing of Unified CPN-Maoist, damaged at least eight school buses belonging to three private schools. Police arrested six persons in connection with the incident. 

The chairman of Unified CPN-Maoist Prachanda directed his party cadres to be well-prepared "for a strong confrontation with the enemies". 

Government formally asked the Unified CPN-Maoist to withdraw their plan for holding a nationwide protest programme.

April 25

Police have seized over 600 sticks being transported to Kathmandu from Kavre District by the Unified CPN-Maoist cadres for the May 1 mass movement.

All private schools across the country stayed shut due to the indefinite nationwide closure called by ANNISU-R, the student wing of the Unified CPN-Maoist.

Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal said that he is ready to quit if the political parties come up with a consensus candidate other than Unified CPN-Maoist chairman Prachanda for the Prime Minister's position.

April 26

Rajendra Tiwari, the Awadh State Committee leader of the Unified CPN-Maoist was shot dead in Kapilvastu District.

Cadres of the Matrika led CPN-Maoist blackened the face of Chahara VDC secretary in Palpa District.

As the Unified CPN-Maoist has given call for indefinite strike from May 2, cadres of the Unified CPN-Maoist and local people from various Districts across the country started leaving for Kathmandu to take part in the demonstration.

YCL has started its paramilitary patrolling across Jhapa District. According to Kochila State Committee member Amrit, YCL has been patrolling in places such as Damak, Birtamod, Bhadrapur and Dhulabari after 8 pm. 

April 27

A PLA ?platoon commander?, Santosh Rai, of the Second Division in Udaypur was arrested in Chitwan District on the charge of possession of weapons.  

Minister for Information and Communication Shankar Pokharel, who is also the Government's spokesperson, said the Nepal Army will be mobilised if the Unified CPN-Maoist protests starting May 1 go out of control.

Unified CPN-Maoist Vice-chairman Baburam Bhattarai said the indefinite nationwide general strike that the party has announced to be observed from May 2 will be "entirely peaceful".

April 28

In Kathmandu, the Unified CPN-Maoist cadres clashed with the Police when the Police tried to vacate schools and private buildings occupied by the Maoists. Police stepped up raids suspecting that Maoists may have brought weapons.

Maoist cadres have intensified their donation drive and issued a decree to send at least one member from each household to participate in their protest programmes in different Districts.

Two ruling partners NC and CPN-UML urged the Unified CPN-Maoist to seek solution of the current political impasse through dialogue.  

April 29

Cadres of JTMM set ablaze a truck at Mohanpur VDC along East-West highway in Saptari District for defying the District bandh called by JTMM.

Police recovered a huge cache of materials used for making explosive devices from Seti Mahakali Hotel & Lodge at Sundhara of Kathmandu ahead of Unified CPN-Maoist?s May Day demonstration.

Workers at Himalayan Distillery foiled Unified CPN-Maoist cadres? attempt of abducting Uday Bhandari, General Manager of the Distillery in Parsa District.

More than 200 Unified CPN-Maoist cadres and combatants have rebelled in various parts of the country citing the party movement would lead to anarchy and invite violence in the country.

14 political parties in the ruling coalition renewed their support to the current cabinet, concluding that the Government cannot be changed because of the pressure created by the Maoists through street protests.

Unified CPN-Maoist has maintained high alert in all the PLA camps across the country.  

April 30

Police recovered explosive raw materials from a public micro-bus en route to Kathmandu at Aanbu Khaireni of Tanahun District.

Police recovered five socket bombs from a Unified CPN-Maoist combatant in Putalisadak, Kathmandu. Police arrested Srijana Sthapit, a Maoist combatant, carrying the five socket bombs on the eve of the massive demonstrations the Maoists have planned for May 1.

Army personnel defused a bomb planted in the house of Binod Agrawal, the campus chief of Babai Campus at Gulariya in Bardiya District. 

Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal said that anything can happen in the country if the Maoists try to capture State powers through violent means.

UNMIN chief Karin Landgren expressed her concern that despite peaceful intentions, "potential spoilers" of the peace process could provoke a clash.

Unified CPN-Maoist Vice Chairman Baburam Bhattarai has claimed that the party will bring more than 5,00,000 people into the streets during their May Day protests to be held in Khulla Manch, open air theatre, at Tudhikhel in Kathmandu on May 1.

May 2

The Cadres of Unified CPN-Maoist abducted retired corporal Resham Hamal and soldier (in-service) Dev Bahadur Bista from Sundhara of Tanahu District accusing them of spying.

Nepal Army expressed its serious concern over the detention of its personnel by Unified CPN-Maoist from Kathmandu over, what it called false charges of spying.  

Unified CPN-Maoist marked the end the first day of their nationwide indefinite general strike in taking out a torch rally at various places in Kathmandu.

Unified CPN-Maoist vice chairman Baburam Bhattarai accused the present coalition Government of being major hindrance to the constitution drafting and peace process and said that his party will not call off its street protest until its demands are fulfilled.

May 3

The cadres of the Unified CPN-Maoist clashed with the Police in Kathmandu during the second day of the Maoists? indefinite nationwide strike. The clash ensued after the agitating Maoist activists vandalised a motor cycle at Samakhus for defying the strike. No injuries or other physical damages have been reported as yet.

A meeting of CPN-UML and Nepali Congress ended inconclusively. Leaders told that a consensus could not be forged due to differences on the issue of army integration.

The meeting of ten ruling parties held at the Prime Ministerial residence at Baluwatar, Kathmandu urged the Government to continue, saying the change of guard through the force of street protest would not be possible.

May 4

At least 30 people have been injured in clash between the local workers and the Unified CPN-Maoist cadres in Pokhara. At the same time, incidents of violence were reported at some places. About 30 Maoist cadres carrying bamboo sticks attacked around a dozen shops in Anamnagar and Ghattekulo area in Kathmandu for defying the general strike. In Satungal and Naikap, the local residents counter attacked the Maoist cadres. Similarly, locals in Biratnagar also chased away the Maoist cadres after they forced shops to close down.

Cadres of Unified CPN-Maoist, on the charge of not participating in the party called general strike, assaulted 32 cadres at Ramghat in Pokhara.

Unified CPN-Maoist chairman Prachanda said the stir his party has launched will be intensified gradually. "The patience of people who have taken to streets is on the verge of breakdown", he said, "So the agitation will be intensified."

May 5

A CPN-UML-affiliated Youth Force member was killed in the Lothar area of Makwanpur District by the YCL cadres.

At least a dozen Unified CPN-Maoist cadres and a few Policemen were injured in a clash in Butwal. The clash started after the Police tried to evacuate the Maoist cadres from the Butwal Municipality building which they had 'captured' and placed their party flags

Eight activists of Tarun Dal, youth wing of the Nepali Congress were injured when the Unified CPN-Maoist cadres attacked them in Parbat District. The Maoist cadres attacked the activistst of Tarun Dal, citing they first attacked the Maoist cadres.

Activists of CPN-UML-aligned Youth Force attacked the rally of Maoist cadres who were enforcing the closure of market in Dhankuta District. Some 15 Policemen sustained minor injuries while trying to control the situation.

An unidentified person opened two rounds of bullet as a clash ensued between YCL and YF in Bhaktapur on the fourth day of the indefinite general strike called by the Maoists.

Unified CPN-Maoist Vice Chairman Mohan Baidya has said the nationwide general strike called by his party will continue unless there is an agreement on its demands.

May 6

The indefinite general strike called by the Unified CPN-Maoist demanding a national unity Government in its leadership entered fifth day. Clashes among the Maoists and those opposing the strike were reported from different parts of the country.

At least half a dozen persons were injured when clashes between the Maoist cadres and youths affiliated to Hindu Yuva Sangh (Hindu Youth Association) took place in the Birgunj area of Parsa District. The clashes had started after Hindu youths backed by local residents set ablaze the tent in City Hall being used by Maoists. Those opposing the strike also set ablaze a van being used by the Maoists to transport ration.

At Budhanilkantha in Kathmandu local residents demanding the end of indefinite general strike clashed with the Maoists. At least three persons, including a minor, were injured in the scuffle. Police fired about half dozen shells of tear gas to take the situation in control. Clashes were also reported from Basundhara and Jorpati. At least two persons were inured in scuffle at Basundhara Chok. About 15 persons were inured in the clashes at Jorpati.

locals of Kushma bazaar in Parbat led by Nepali Congress affiliated Tarun Dal demonstrated against the Maoists protesting against a Maoist attack on a Tarun Dal member and his family. CPN-UML cadres also participated in the protest. Reports said that Maoist cadres had attacked Tarun Dal leader Bishnu Pokhrel and his parents in his residence in the night of May 5.

Clashes were reported in the Dhankuta area between the cadres of the YCL and the Youth Force. There were sporadic clashes in Simikot between the agitating Maoists and the cadres of the two main ruling parties, NC and CPN-UML

In Bardiya, clashes occurred after UCPN-Maoist cadres prevented the Chief District Officer from entering his office.

Local administrations of Parbat, Humla and Dhaunkuta Districts declared curfew orders in the respective District headquarters to avert further clashes between the agitating Maoists cadres and those defying the Maoist general strike.

The Unified CPN-Maoist accused the ruling political parties of trying to incite violence by encouraging their cadres to defy the Maoist general strike. A meeting of the Maoist standing committee concluded that the ruling parties are intent on giving a violent turn to the 'peaceful' demonstrations and decided to put up tough resistance against those confronting the agitating party cadres. "We won't attack anybody but if we are attacked we will give tough answer," Maoist spokesperson Dina Nath Sharma said after the meeting. The Maoist standing committee's decision comes amid reports of the cadres of ruling parties, especially the CPN-UML and Madheshi Janadhikar Forum (Loktantrik), clashing with the Maoist demonstrators to defy the general strike at different places. Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports said that UCPN-Maoist have formed an informal 'flying teams' comprising YCL cadres to take action against those protesting against or defying the strike. The said 'flying team' is said to have been given special instruction by the Maoist leadership to retaliate against those confronting with party cadres in order to defy the strike called by the party.

The YCL accused the current "puppet" Government of being engaged in conspiracy to turn the ?peaceful? demonstration violent by using what it called "vigilante" groups. In a press statement signed by YCL coordinator Ganesh Man Pun it said, "YCL Nepal will counter any move by vigilantes to defy the peaceful demonstration by the protestors." YCL also appealed to the youths not to become vigilantes falling into the words of handful of nefarious elements.

With reports of sporadic clashes between cadres of Youth Force and YCL streaming in from various parts of the country, CPN-UML chairman Jhala Nath Khanal has appealed to his party activists not to defy or protest the Maoist called general strike.

The United States called on Maoists to end a strike that has shut down much of the country; voicing fear that the standoff could spiral into violence. Robert Blake, the Assistant Secretary of state for South Asian affairs, encouraged all sides to try to resolve differences peacefully as hopes fade that Nepal will meet a May 28 deadline to complete a new constitution.

May 7

At least eight cadres of the Unified CPN-Maoist were injured in Lekhnath of Kaski District when unknown persons opened firing during a clash between the Maoist cadres and the participants of the peace rally.

Several places in Kathmandu remained tense as peace demonstrators and the agitating Maoist cadres clashed. Cadres of the Unified CPN-Maoist hurled stones to the people at Bhaktapur Bus Park in Bag Bazaar. Clash ensued after the peace rally participants led by cadres of Youth Force, the Youth Wing of the CPN-UML pelted stones at the Maoist cadres. In Patan, a clash took place as participants of a peace assembly organised at Krishna Temple pelted stones at a vehicle being used by the Maoists. Clashes are also reported in Tundikhel,Sundhara, Teku, Kalanki, Pulchowk, New Road and Exhibition Road in Kathmandu.

Unified CPN-Maoist vice chairman Baburam Bhattarai said his party "will have to find an alternative to the peaceful agitation".  "We will have to change the ways if the Government continues of ignore the peaceful protests," he said.

May 9

Thousands of cadres of Unified CPN-Maoist clashed with Riot Police in Kathmandu injuring several cadres and Police officers. The incident took place when the Maoist cadres were trying to block the Government offices in Kathmandu.

Cadres of the Unified CPN-Maoist attacked and assaulted journalists at Kathmandu during their demonstrations.

Cadres Unified CPN-Maoist padlocked VDC offices of three Districts, Nawalparasi, Rupandehi and Kapilvastu, under the ?Awadh Madhesh State' on the charge of financial irregularities.  Moti Rijal, Unified CPN-Maoist?s co-in charge of the Awadh Madhesh State said they have resorted to the padlocking as the VDC offices were found misappropriating fund.

Unified CPN-Maoist turned down a request made by Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal to immediately come for dialogue to end the political deadlock. Prime Minister had dispatched a letter to Maoist Chairman Prachanda, urging him to sit at the talks table. Reacting sharply to the Prime Minister?s letter, the Maoist Standing Committee meeting declared it would have no dialogue with the Government unless the Prime Minister quits.

Chairman of the MJF Upendra Yadav said Prachanda should come up with an alternative if he fails to garner support in his bid to become the next Prime Minister. "He should come up with an alternative and shun his thinking that he is the only capable candidate," Yadav said.

May 10

The Unified CPN-Maoist deployed YCL cadres for round-the-clock vigilance in the bordering area near Trinagar customs office in Kailali District to block what it called the 'import of explosives' in violation of the Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA).

Ten parties representing at the CA demanded that the incumbent coalition Government step down and pave way for the formation of national consensus Government.

The Unified CPN-Maoist decided to form a joint front with the political forces that stand in favour of secularism and national sovereignty.

Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal's political advisor Raghuji Panta said the Prime Minister is not going to step down until there is an agreement on integration of Maoist combatants.

Deputy Prime Minister Sujata Koirala said a Government led by Unified CPN-Maoist is not possible until the integration and management of the Maoist combatants is completed.

May 11

YCL cadres vacated Dhamboji Higher Secondary School of Banke District, where they were staying put for more than a week.

Unified CPN-Maoist Secretary Posta Bahadur Bogati said his party has not proposed an alternative candidate for Prime Minister if a new national unity Government is formed.

May 12

Constituent Assembly Chairman Subash Chandra Nemwang called on Unified CPN-Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda at the latter's residence in Nayabazar in an attempt to resolve the hindrances seen in constitution drafting.   

Addressing the gathering of the intellectuals at the end of the interaction organised by Unified CPN-Maoist, Prachanda said the critical issues behind delay in forging consensus is the concrete number of combatants that other parties have been demanding for integration.

Prachanda claimed that the merger of the PLA is possible within four months.

The major coalition allies?Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML?said discussions on the new national Government can be made if the Unified CPN-Maoist fulfils the past agreements.  

The Security Council renewed the mandate of the UNMIN until September 15, 2010, in line with a request from the Government, stressing that arrangement should immediately be made for withdrawal of the mission by that date.

May 13

A teenage girl cadre of the Unified CPN-Maoist, Guma Mishra (16) from Ghyalchowk VDC of Gorkha District, who had reportedly left her home one month ago to participate in the Unified CPN-Maoist agitation in Kathmandu, has been missing.  

May 14

A joint team of the Nepal Police and Armed Police Force (AFP) recovered a huge cache of arms from New Baba temple in Ward No 3 of Trikol VDC in Saptari District.

Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal said that he still hasn't seen any notable improvement in the violent nature of the Maoists and that because of this they can't be trusted.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala said that there would be no alternative left but to dissolve the CA if the Unified CPN-Maoist is not sincere towards the important task of constitution writing.

Chief of UNMIN, Karin Landgren, met Unified CPN-Maoist chairman Prachanda at the latter's Nayabazaar residence, and reportedly expressed doubt that given the widening differences between the parties, the integration and rehabilitation of the Maoist combatants will complete within the four months of UNMIN's renewed tenure.

The Unified CPN-Maoist boycotted the meeting of the Special Committee on supervision, integration and rehabilitation of the Maoist combatants.

May 15

Nepali Congress (NC) acting president Sushil Koirala met Unified CPN-Maoist chairman Prachanda at the latter's residence in Nayabazaar and discussed issues related to army integration and extension of CA term.

May 16

The Unified CPN-Maoist, agitating for a national unity Government under its leadership, decided on to ?promulgate? the constitution drafted by the party from the street on May 29, if a consensus is not forged to fulfil its demand before the CA term expires on May 28.

A central committee meeting of the CPN-UML that started on May 15 decided to call back Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal from his position to make way for a national unity Government if and when the Unified CPN-Maoist agrees on other conditions particularly the ones related to army integration.

Unified CPN-Maoist cadres are said to be demanding donation from local activists of Nepali Congress, CPN-UML including businessmen in Kavre District saying that they didn't participate in the indefinite general strike called by their party a little over a week ago.

Chairman of Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal (RPP-N) Kamal Thapa addressing his party function in Kathmandu, vowed not to let Nepal transform into a secular State. RPP-N is mulling to start its campaign for revival of the monarchy from May 23 if the current crisis continues.

May 17

The Government tabled a bill in the Parliament for amendment in the Interim Constitution proposing to extend the term of the Constituent Assembly by one year.

Unified CPN-Maoist leaders interacted with ambassadors from various countries in Kathmandu in a bid to garner support for a national unity Government in their leadership. Maoist chairman Prachanda reiterated his party's two conditions, constitution amendment for consensual system and formation of national unity government, to support the CA term extension.

May 18

One militant was killed in a fire exchange with Police nearby National Medical College in Birgunj in Parsa District. The Police, meanwhile, claimed that they have recovered a set of pistol, two sets of socket bomb and other weapons from the incident site.

At least six CPN-UML leaders and cadres were injured when Unified CPN-Maoist cadres indiscriminately attacked a gathering of CPN-UML in the Bafikot VDC of Rukum District.

A woman was injured as unidentified men exploded a socket bomb at the main market at Kalaiya, the headquarters of Bara District.

Minister for Information and Communication Shanker Pokharel claimed that there is no obligation to promulgate the constitution within May 28 deadline as the people have not given such a mandate. He stressed, "It won't be a stateless situation after May 28."

Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal said there can be no consensus without first fixing the number of Unified CPN-Maoist former combatants into the Army and other security agencies.

Following the meeting between the Nepali Congress and Unified CPN-Maoist leaders on resolving the existing impasse the Maoist chairman Prachanda reiterated that his party stand for resignation of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and amendment of the interim constitution reviving consensus system while forming a government.

May 19

Peace and Reconstruction Minister Rakam Chemjong said that integration and rehabilitation of the Maoist combatants is not going to start unless there is a political agreement on the number of those to be integrated.

566 combatants at the 1st PLA division in Chulachuli received their salaries on individual basis for the first time.

Expressing grave differences with the Unified CPN-Maoist on CA term extension, the MJF has pulled out of its alliance with the former.

13 fringe parties in the CA have concluded that hegemony of the three major parties ? Unified CPN-Maoist, Nepali Congress and CPN-UML - is behind the current political deadlock and the failure to draft the new constitution on time.

May 20

Unified CPN-Maoist chairman Prachanda clarified that his party is not going to declare what it calls the people's constitution from the streets on May 29 if the Constituent Assembly gets dissolved.

Janardhan Sharma Unified CPN-Maoist warned that if the CA?s term is not extended after forging political consensus by May 28, then parallel Governments will be formed by various groups and communities. He, however, didn't clarify as to whether those parallel governments will be of the autonomous.

Hundreds of Unified CPN-Maoist activists including five state committee members defected from the party to form their own party, CPN-Revolutionary.

May 21

Cadres of the Unified CPN-Maoist severely assaulted two activists of the Nepali Congress, Binit Khadka (22) and Pradeep Bhandari (29) of Satbariya-8, in Dang. Police arrested a cadre of YCL in connection with the attack and have started investigation, said Police Inspector Hari Das Shrestha.

Maoist cadres seized about 60 hectares of private land in the Rajapur Tappu region in Bardiya District. Around 70 people took control of the land by hoisting Maoist party flags.

Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal ruled out the possibility of political compromise with the Maoists unless there is an agreement on the number of Maoist combatants to be integrated in the State's security agencies.

Leaders and cadres of Akhil Terai Mukti Morcha (ATMM), surrendered before the Government along with weapons. Some 150 ATMM cadres including its chairman Bibek Chaudhary surrendered, handing over their arms to the authorities in Birgunj at the presence of Peace and Reconstruction minister Rakam Chemjong.

May 22

The MJF publicly paraded its trained combatant squad, Madheshi Raksha Dal (MRD), in Bara District.

May 23

Police arrested a senior leader, Udaya Narayan Yadav alias Amitabh, of JTMM-G from Janakpur District. According to Superintendent of Police, Sarbendra Khanal, Yadav was arrested along with a sophisticated gun and it?s magazine.

The Supreme Court made a ruling for the extension of the term of CA that is due to expire on May 28. Hearing the writ petition filed against the extension of the CA term, a joint bench of Justices Khila Raj Regmi and Krishna Prasad Upadhyay ruled that there is no need of interim order to extend the CA term.

The Unified CPN-Maoist registered a notice of disapproval against the constitution amendment bill, which has been tabled at the Legislature-Parliament for the extension of CA term. Maoist lawmakers Dev Prasad Gurung and Ekaraj Bhandari registered the notice at the Parliamentary Secretariat.

May 24

Protesting a hike in fees in the Tribhuvan University Bachelors? second and third year, activists of the Unified CPN-Maoist-affiliated ANNISU-R set ablaze the chair of the Ratna Rajya Campus chief in Kathmandu.

The cadres of the Unified CPN-Maoist announced indefinite closure of all academic institutions in Okhaldhunga District from May 25 to protest an alleged attack on their colleagues two weeks ago.

The NC Central Member Ram Sharan Mahat accused the Unified CPN-Maoist of planning for a war again.

Unified CPN?Maoist said it is in favour of extension of the term of the Constituent Assembly, but political consensus is a must before the term extension.

May 25

The crucial meeting of the big three parties Unified CPN-Maoist CPN-UML and NC ended without any substantial outcome.

Constituent Assembly Chairman Subash Nemwang has said that the Parliament, CA and the Government will automatically be dissolved if CA's tenure is not extended by midday of May 28.

May 26

The meeting of the three major parties - Unified CPN-Maoist, CPN-UML and NC - failed to forge a consensus just two days before the Constituent Assembly term expires.

Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal has urged the leaders of Unified CPN-Maoist not to make the issue of CA extension a bargaining tool.

May 27

Unified CPN-Maoist decided not to go for extension of the Constituent Assembly under the existing circumstances.

Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal said that any term and condition set to extend the CA's tenure would not be acceptable to him.

May 28

YCL cadres allegedly assaulted three NC activists at Shreebhanjhyang in Lamjung District.

A home-made bomb exploded on the southern face of heavily-guarded Constituent Assembly building at Kathmandu as the political parties and CA members were busy holding talks to extend the tenure of the supreme body tasked with drafting the statute. No damage or casualties were reported.

The big three parties, Unified CPN-Maoist, CPN-UML and NC finally agreed to extend the CA term by one year.  

May 29

The Unified CPN-Maoist, as per the party?s earlier announcement, made public ?people?s constitution? amid a mass gathering at Khula Manch in Kathmandu.

May 30

The Security Forces detained one PLA cadre, Sherbahadur Pun, along with a UNMIN-verified weapon in Baglung District.

Unified CPN-Maoist started selling the seized property instead of returning to the rightful owners. 

The Constituent Assembly (CA) secretariat has prepared a revised calendar of events for writing the constitution with a plan to promulgate new constitution on February 26, 2011, three months before the CA term expires.

May 31

Sapatu Yadav (35), a cadre of the Unified CPN-Maoist and Secretary of the Unified CPN-Maoist?s Awadh State Committee, was shot dead in Rupandehi District. JTMM Party has taken the responsibility of the murder.

The lawmakers of different political party urged the three major parties?the Unified CPN-Maoist, the NC and the CPN-UML?not to interpret the three-point accord reached among them on May 28 from their own point of view. The lawmakers also urged the Prime Minister to resign within five days so as to pave the way for the formation of a national unity Government.

CPN-UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal has said that the issues connected with the peace process needs to be addressed first prior to the resignation of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal as demanded by the main opposition Unified CPN-Maoist. By this Khanal was clearly referring to Maoists agreeing to come up with a fixed number of combatants to be integrated into the security agencies including their commitment to return seized properties and dismantle the paramilitary structure of their youth wing, the YCL.

Unified CPN-Maoist vice-chairman Baburam Bhattarai has expressed confidence that Prime Minster Madhav Kumar Nepal will resign as agreed upon during the tri-partite meeting held May 28 for the extension of Constituent Assembly.

June 1

SJMM, exploded a socket bomb at Murkuchi bazaar in Udaypur District . The outfit exploded the bomb nearby the Murkuchi Chamber of Commerce and Industries at Rauta-9 demanding ethnic Government, police informed. However, no human casualties have been reported so far.

June 2

Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal has said that based upon remarks made by Maoist leaders that missing Dr Bhaktaman Shrestha is 'safe', he could well have been abducted by the Maoists. He also assured the Yuva Sang Nepal activists that the Government will leave no stone unturned to located the missing doctor. Yuva Sang Nepal?s President Mahesh Basnet claimed that Maoists were behind the abduction of Dr Shrestha.

The CPN-UML concluded that Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal does not have to quit unless the parties arrive at a consensus on implementation of the past agreements on peace process and constitution-writing.

Seventh division commander of the PLA Prakash Khatri joined the Matrika-led CPN-Maoist. Along with Khatri, five Unified CPN-Maoist cadres joined the Matrika-led Maoist party. An active cadre of the PLA since 2004, Khatri, company commander of the Badaipur-based Lisnegram Brigade, said, "I left the People?s Liberation Army as it has deviated from the revolutionary path.

June 3

The Unified CPN-Maoist imposed a bandh in Rupandehi District to protest the killing of one of its cadres on May 31.

The Unified CPN-Maoist blamed the Prime Minister for deceiving the nation and people without tendering his resignation as per the three point pact reached among the big three parties. The Maoist Standing Committee meeting held in party headquarters at Paris Danda, Kathmandu, concluded that NC and CPN-UML had agreed that the PM would resign within five days after the extension of the CA and therefore have cheated the nation without implementing the pact.

The Vice-chairman of Unified CPN-Maoist Mohan Baidya said that his party would not continue to push for the Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal's resignation in the future as NC and CPN-UML shattered the gentleman's agreements of May 28.

Deputy Prime Minister Bijay Kumar Gachhadhar accused the Unified CPN-Maoists of not being serious enough to implement the previous agreement including May 28 three-point deal that led to the extension of the Constituent Assembly.

June 4

A meeting of ruling coalition partners ? NC and CPN-UML ?expressed regret over Unified CPN-Maoist unwillingness to address peace and new constitution concerns. The meeting of the senior leaders, convened at the official residence of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal concluded that the Unified CPN-Maoist violated the three-point pact of May 28 by sidelining the issues of peace and new constitution.

A committee working under the Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction for the rehabilitation of UNMIN-disqualified Maoist combatants has found that up to 1,400 of the disqualified fighters are out of contact with the committee, according to officials of the ministry. The first review meeting of the Directive Committee for Rehabilitation of Disqualified Combatants found that of the total 2,396 disqualified combatants, 1,400 did not get in touch with the committee since they were discharged in the first week of January, 2010.

June 6

The bodyguard of Unified CPN Maoist lawmaker Shiva Chandra Kushwa, was assaulted by the locals of Nijgad of Bara District. The bodyguard was assaulted after he wielded his pistol to shoo away the locals who tried to take the lawmaker's vehicle in control to search for Brijkishor, a Maoist cadre, close to Kushwa.

Minister for Peace and Reconstruction Rakam Chemjong charged that the Unified CPN-Maoist is not interested to take ahead the integration and rehabilitation of its combatants.

The Police paraded a cadre of the JMM-N identified as Dev Raj Lama alias Bishwo Kranti, involved in bomb explosions across the country.  Earlier this week, Police arrested Lama for extortion from one Laku Sherpa of Tinchule in Kathmandu.

The Chairman of HPP,  Bishnu Kumar Parsai, issuing a press statement has charged the Unified CPN- Maoist for  Doctor Shrestha's abduction.

June 7

An explosion was triggered  in a car in front of Ishan Nursing Home at Basundhara in Kathmandu leaving four persons injured.

Unified CPN-Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal alias Prachanda  has said that the main obstruction for the implementation of the recent three-point deal was not NC or CPN-UML, but "foreign forces".

June 8

CPN-UML affiliated YF has accused Unified CPN-Maoist of abducting Dr. Bhaktaman Shrestha, Executive Director of BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital.

An unidentified gang killed Kar Bahadur Budha, YCL?s Surkhet District member, at Dashrathpur Village Development Committee-2.

June 9

The Unified CPN-Maoist vice-chairman Baburam Bhattarai accused the Government of not being serious regarding integration and rehabilitation of Maoist combatants languishing in UN-monitored cantonments.

The NC and CPN-UML have softened their stance to form consensus Government and are now focusing on persuading Unified CPN-Maoist to detach itself from PLA combatants.

A special intelligence squad of Nepal Police arrested a person, Bishnu Shah, from Kavre.

According to the latest monthly update by United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs-Nepal (OCHA), security situation in the country, especially parts of the Tarai, is worsening.

Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Sharad Singh Bhandari  said that Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal will not resign unless there is a "guarantee" for the formation of a national consensus Government and an agreement is made with the Maoists on key issues.

UCPN-Maoist and its sister wings threatened to launch a protest if the ongoing work on Detailed Project Report of Saptakoshi High-Dam Multipurpose Project did not stop.

Also, Nepali Congress Vice President Prakashman Singh said that establishment of peace and rehabilitation of Maoist combatants were top priorities of his party.  

June 10

The Police arrested two cadres of the Rajan Mukti-led Janatantrik Tarai Mukti Morcha, identified as Bishwas Mukti aka Dipu Singh and Sanjeev Jha of Madai, Mahottari District, with two guns and five bullets near the Janakpur Zonal Hospital.

Cadres of the Unified CPN-Maoist ?seized? 50 sacks of chemical fertilizers in Basantapur market located on the border of Dhankuta and Tehrathum Districts.  

The MJF Chairman Upendra Yadav said that the country requires a Prime Minister who can be accepted unanimously by all the political parties.

The NC ruled out any possibility of Unified CPN-Maoist?s Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal alias Prachanda becoming the country's next Prime Minister as proposed by the Maoists' Standing Committee meeting. 

A Government employee, identified as Shiva Narayan Bhandari, office assistant at District Development Committee, Dhanusha District, was shot dead by the cadres of Rajan Mukti led JTMM-R.

June 11

Police recovered a huge amount of explosives from a house at Basundhara in Kathmandu.

June 12

Cadres of the JTMM led by Rajan Mukti shot dead one person, identified as Raj Kumar Panjiyar, in Janakpur.

The plan to declare a para-military youth squad of some NC leaders, including Sher Bahadur Deuba and Khum Bahadur Khadka, was averted due to the intervention of acting president Sushil Koirala.

The cadres of the YCL intervened and assaulted people in a guardians? meeting at Mahendra Higher Secondary School in Nuwakot District arbitrarily constituting the school management committee.

June 13

Nepal Police diffused a bomb in front of a house owned by Dani Prasad Chaudary in Triyuga Municipality of Udayapur District.

The main accused in the Basundhara (Kathmandu) car explosion on June 7, Bishnu Shah, revealed there were plans for a serial blast in various places of Kathmandu, including Bhatbhateni Supermarket, United World Trade Centre and Hotel Shangrila had the Basundhara plan been successful.

Families affected by the Unified CPN-Maoist insurgency have demanded unconditional return of their properties seized by Maoists during the insurgency period.

June 14

The cadres of the Matrika led-CPN-Maoist smeared black on the face of the chief of District land registration office Bara.

In Phidim, one of the eastern hilly districts, the cadres of the Unified CPN-Maoist forced Police officials to leave their posts.

The chairman of the Unified CPN-Maoist, Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda, revealed that he was forced to resign from the post of Prime Minister as he tried to find the condition and whereabouts of the people forcibly disappeared by the state during the decade long Maoist insurgency.

June 15

The chairman of the Unified CPN-Maoist, Pushpa Kamal Dahal alias Prachanda claimed that the chances of reaching an agreement with the parties was slim and the party should prepare for a peaceful movement.

June 16

A meeting held between the cadres of the local administration and the Unified CPN-Maoist agreed not to remove the police post located at Nangin Village Development Committee (VDC) of Panchthar District.

The office bearers of the Unified CPN-Maoist are divided on the party?s future strategy, formation of a national unity Government and Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda?s alternative to lead it.

The United States (US) has warned its citizens not to travel to Nepal after months of street protests and political turmoil.

June 17

The Unified CPN-Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal alias Prachanda said that the party will wage a "final struggle" to ensure new constitution and peace in the country.

The Unified CPN-Maoist vice-chairman Baburam Bhattarai has reiterated the importance of forming a national consensus Government in order to protect the achievements of "people?s war and people?s movement".

The General Secretary of the CPN-UML said that the Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal will resign soon even if the national consensus is not forged.

June 18

The senior CPN-UML leaders have advised Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal not to step down despite growing pressure on him to do so.

NC central member Khum Bahadur Khadka said in dang District that the proposal for the formation of Tarun Dasta (Youth Force) will be tabled in the upcoming 12th general convention of the party.

June 20

The Unified CPN-Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal alias Prachanda warned that the country would plunge into a deeper crisis if the parties failed to implement the three-point May 28 agreement honestly.

Prachanda urged the leaders of the NC and CPN-UML to be honest regarding the implementation of the recent three-point agreement.

The NC acting President Sushil Koirala ruled out the possibility of forming a national consensus Government before the Unified CPN-Maoist was ready to agree on a calendar of operation for managing its combatants camped in cantonments.

June21

The Unified CPN-Maoist said it will not accept the Government policies and programmes and the budget for the fiscal year 2010/11 until Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal clears the way for the formation of a national consensus Government under the party's leadership.

The politburo members of Unified CPN-Maoist urged the party's top brass to centralise the leadership based on ideology.

Chairman of the Constituent Assembly Subas Nembang urged the major parties in Kathmandu to forge an agreement immediately over the issue of the army integration and management.

June 22

Cadres of Matrika led CPN-Maoist attempted to smear tar to Mankeswor Thakur, engineer, District Development Committee (DDC) in Birgunj District.

The Unified CPN-Maoist on reiterated that the formation of new Government in its leadership is the only option to solve the present political crisis in the country.

June 23

A special intelligence squad of Nepal Police arrested and detained seven Maoist combatants from PLA Third Division of Shaktikhor in Chitwan District from a cafe in Durbarmarg.

The United States (US) Embassy in Kathmandu granted visa to four Unified CPN-Maoist leaders to take part in a Boston seminar in which leaders of the NC and the CPN-UML and other parties are also participating.

The NC and the CPN-UML decided to hold a three-party meeting within two days to immediately implement the May 28 three-point agreement, which, if implemented, could pave the way for the formation of a national consensus Government.

The politburo meeting of the Unified CPN-Maoist earlier scheduled for June 24 has been postponed for June 25.

Police arrested seven Unified CPN-Maoist combatants, including two disqualified from a Durbar Marg-based café in capital Kathmandu, with unregistered weapons.

June 24

One of the senior leaders of the Unified CPN-Maoist, Janardhan Sharma, said that the YCL cadres should be deployed in every Village Development Committees (VDC) of the country by setting up branches in order to engage them in "development works".

June 26

Chief of the youth wing of the Vishwa Hindu Mahasangh, Kashi Tiwari, was shot dead by assailants in Birgunj. Tiwari had led a group of Hindu volunteers to disrupt the Unified CPN-Maoist-organised bandh (general shut down) in the first week of May in his area.

The cadres of the Unified CPN-Maoist assaulted and injured two NC party activists.

June 26-27

The NC accused the YCL of assaulting three of its party cadres in the Gorkha District on June 26 & 27.

June 27

An Unified CPN-Maoist cadre, identified as Ishwor Das Yadav, was found dead weeks after going missing in Deukhuri of Dang District.

The Police arrested a local leader of Unified CPN-Maoist, Jalim Miya, from Birgunj in connection with the murder of president of Hindu Rastriya Yuva Sangh, Kashiram Tiwari.

The UCPN-M has decided to express solidarity with the CPI-Maoist. The UCPN-M said it would "raise its voice against the suppression of the people in India and different countries".

June 28

Police started to demolish a building that houses the office of the YCL in the Teku area of Kathmandu. Police said they were compelled to destroy the house belonging to one local Shashi Shrestha after the cadres of YCL allegedly reoccupied his house even after they were evicted from there earlier.

Local administration at Gorkha beefed up security in the District following the series of attacks by the YCL on Nepali Congress (NC) activists. YCL men have been assaulting NC activists in the District over a dispute on the appointment of the management committee at Ghyampesal-based Dullav Higher Secondary School since the past three days.

The UCPN-Maoist said it will not allow the upcoming budget session of the Parliament to run normally as long as the Government does not step down. A meeting of the party's standing committee the Government has been relegated to a 'caretaker' position after the three-party pact of May 28 and that it does not have the authority to present the budget.

June 29

Secretary of VDC Chandra Bahadur Shrestha of Doti was found dead in mysterious circumstances at Banlek VDC-2, Saugada. Whether Shrestha was murdered or died a natural death is not known. However, a few days ago, a previously unknown underground ethnic front ?Samyukta Jatiya Mukti Morcha? (SJMM) had sent a letter to the VDC secretaries in the District asking for their resignation.

A Nepali Congress (NC) cadre Kittu Yadav (34) close to party leader Khum Bahadur Khadka was shot at by an unidentified group in Gulariya, the District headquarters of Bardiya. Yadav claimed, the assailants were UCPN-Maoist cadres and had fired him with an intention to kill.

Cadres of the YCL clashed with the Police when the latter tried to evacuate a building they had forcefully occupied at Teku in Kathmandu.

Secretaries of VDCs in Parbat and Dolakha Districts resigned en masse owing to insecurity following threats from a previously unknown outfit SJMM. All 55 VDC secretaries in Parbat submitted their joint resignation letter to the local development officer on Tuesday, reports said. They said they were asked by the group to quit immediately. Likewise, the same group has issued similar threats to VDC secretaries of Dolakha District. Secretaries of 21 out of 51 VDCs in the District handed over a joint resignation letter to local development officer Shankar Bahadur Thapa. In the past couple of weeks, VDC secretaries of a number of Districts including Myagdi, Banke and Dhading resigned en masse citing lack of security.

Intelligence agencies reports that Indian missions in Bangladesh and Nepal are under threat from a possible terror attack from Pakistani terrorist outfits.

June 30

Prime Minister (PM) Madhav Kumar Nepal tendered his resignation before President Ram Baran Yadav in the evening. Earlier, in the day, saying that he no longer wishes to see the country remain "hostage to indecision", PM Nepal had announced his resignation through a televised message to the nation. After making the announcement, PM Nepal said he hoped his resignation will mark an end to the longstanding political deadlock and all other problems facing the country, as the UCPN-Maoist have been saying.

The UCPN-Maoist hailed the resignation of the Prime Minister saying the resignation had paved way for political consensus to end the political deadlock in the country.

A journalist, Keshav Bohara, working with Radio Mandavi in Pyuthan was allegedly abducted by UCPN-Maoist cadres reportedly over a news item he disseminated.

July 1

President Ram Baran Yadav called upon the political parties represented in the Constituent Assembly (CA) to form a ?consensus government ?by July 7. In a letter sent to the Parliament Secretariat, the President's Office said the process to form a ?consensus government? as per the Article 38 (1) of the Interim Constitution should be immediately started.

The UCPN-Maoist decided to strive for a "national unity government" led by the party with chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda as the Prime Minister. However, Nepali Congress parliamentary party leader Ram Chandra Poudel said that it is his party's turn to lead a new Government.

July 2

Unified CPN-Maoist asked CPN-UML to support for a national consensus Government under the leadership saying UCPN-Maoist is the largest party in the CA.

The UCPN-Maoist held a joint meeting with 11 smaller parties including MJF in its a bid to win their support for a Maoist-led Government.

July 4

The cadres of Matrika led CPN-Maoist smeared black soot on the face of Director General of Department of Forest Madhav Acharya. They smeared soot on Acharya's face accusing him of involvement in illegal deforestation that has become rampant in various Terai Districts in the recent days.

The Unified CPN-Maoist cadres threatened a former child soldier who spoke about her involvement and experience in the Maoist Army at United Nations Security Council in June 2010.

July 5

The CPN-Maoist cadres led by Matrika Yadav smeared black soot on the face of Director General of Department of Forest Madhav Acharya, accusing him of involvement in illegal deforestation that has become rampant in various Terai Districts in the recent days.

The UCPN-Maoist cadres threatened a former child soldier who spoke about her involvement and experience in the Maoist Army at United Nations Security Council in June 2010.

A powerful explosion was triggered at a VDC office in Saptari injuring two persons and causing minor damage to the office. Reports quoted Police as saying that one of many Terai armed groups active in the District was responsible for detonating the bomb at the VDC office in Goithi, but failed to name the group.  

Police recovered a large amount of explosives from the house of a leader of SJMM, an underground outfit which has been threatening VDC secretaries across the country and forcing them to resign.

July 6

Top leaders of the three major parties - Unified CPN-Maoist, NC and CPN-UML - have agreed to give themselves five more days to form a "national consensus government".

An IED exploded in front of the CA building at the International Conference Center (ICC), New Baneshwor of Kathmandu.  No human casualty, injuries or damage to public property was reported. Leaflets belonging to a previously unheard Dynamic Youth Forum was found at the site of the explosion.

 A meeting between the top leaders of the three parties - Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, NC Vice-Chairman and Paraliamentary Party leader Ram Chandra Poudel and CPN-UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal- at the parliamentary secretariat, Singha Durbar (parliament) reached to a decision to this effect. The leaders decided to formally request President Dr Ram Baran Yadav to extend the July 7 deadline he had set for the formation of the consensus Government by five more days.

July 7

SJTMM cadres shot dead a worker, identified as Gyan Bahadur Sunar, of a crusher factory in Kapilvastu District.

A low intensity bomb went off in front of the western gate of the CA building in New Baneshwor.  The Unified CPN-Maoist, NC and CPN-UML parliamentary meetings were going on when the bomb exploded.

The District in charge of the  SJMMN  Kul Prasad Bhattarai  was arrested along with weapons in Nawalparasi District from Dauune Bazar on July 5 it was reported. Police captured a USA-made pistol, two rounds of bullets and a magazine from him.

Unified CPN-Maoist is preparing to propose a plan for integration of its combatants into the security agencies if NC and CPN-UML assure them of leadership of the unity Government. Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal  told leaders of other political parties at the meeting of 25 political parties represented in the Constituent Assembly on July 6 that his party would present a plan for integration at a meeting of the task-force of the three parties formed earlier to work out the points of consensus.

A senior of Unified CPN-Maoist leader, C.P. Gajurel claimed that both NC and CPN-UML are actually not in favor of a "consensus Government", but are engaged in efforts to form majority Government under their leadership.

July 8

An unidentified gang stabbed a CPN-UML leader, identified as Chabilal Karki, 43, to death at Thulachhap of Okhaldhunga District. The deceased was identified as CPN-UML central leader and council member. Karki was stabbed to death while having dinner in a hotel.

The UNMIN has prepared a "non-paper" proposing a 60-week time plan for the integration and rehabilitation of Maoist combatants.

The Unified CPN-Maoist leaders held consultations with leaders of Madhesh based parties at the parliamentary party office of  TMLP in Singha Durbar (Parliament).  At the meeting, Maoist leaders urged Madhesh based parties to support them to form the next Government.

July 9

The CPN-UML leader Pradeep Gyawali has claimed that Unified CPN-Maoist-led national consensus Government is impossible even if it publicises a clear working schedule for the integration of its combatants.  Talking to Radio Kantipur  Gyawali added that the environment of trust with the main opposition party Maoist is not possible until it fully implements the past pacts including the integration process.

The UCPN-Maoist denied the allegation of its involvement in the murder of CPN-UML leader Chabilal Karki, who was killed on July 8 in Okhaldhunga. Following an accusation from District-based CPN-UML activists that the Maoist cadre attacked Karki, Maoist Spokesperson Dinanath Sharma and District-in-Charge Balkrishna Sharma issued separate press statement and refuted their party's connection in the murder.

The Unified CPN-Maoist finalised the 6-point action plan for integration and rehabilitation of the PLA combatants. A meeting of the Maoist office bearers held at party's headquarters in Parisdanda, Koteshwor finalised the action plan following a serious discussion on it, according to Maoist party secretary C.P Gajurel.

A senior Unified CPN-Maoist leader dismissed the conditions put forth by the NC and the CPN-UML that they would support the Maoists to lead a consensus Government only after there is an agreement on the number of their combatants to be integrated into the security agencies.

July 11

The NC voiced strong reservation over the Unified CPN-Maoist policy paper on integration and rehabilitation of Maoist combatants saying that the proposal is against the past pacts and understandings.  

Matrika led CPN-Maoist reiterated to continue its action against the "corrupt" officials across the country if the Government fails to take action them.  

Police claimed that the UCPN-M?s PLA Division Commander Kali Bahadur Kham alias Bibidh and some other cadres are involved in illegal trade of the medicinal herb yarchagumba (cordyceps sinensis).  

July 12

The meeting of the major three parties ? UCPN-M, NC and CPN-UML failed to finalise the timeframe for constitution writing.

July 13

UCPN-M asked NC and CPN-UML to come clean on the issue of integration and rehabilitation of Maoist combatants.

July 14

 The spokesperson of the UCPN-M, Dina Nath Sharma said that the UCPN-M is ready to give up the claim over the Government leadership if the peace and the constitution are guaranteed. 

The legislature parliament is set to elect the new Prime Minister on July 21. Parliamentary Business Advisory Committee on set the date for the Prime Minister's election. 

July 15

Two combatants of the UCPN-M identified as Bishnu Neupane and Chandra Bahadur Bohara of Krishnasen Smriti Brigade, were mysteriously found dead, outside the camp, in Rupandehi District. The deceased duo had gone out of contact since 12 p.m. on July 14.

Two women have been wounded when an IED left on a roadside field in Birgunj of Parsa District exploded.

A faction in UCPN-M led by vice-chairman Babu Ram Bhattarai is demanding the party?s standing committee meeting immediately take a fresh decision on the formation of a national consensus Government, especially about the prime ministerial berth.

SJMM-N detonated a socket bomb in Nuwakot District to press the VDC secretaries to resign. The bomb was planted in the corner of a road at Chautaro in Bidur Municipality-2.

The Government has urged UCPN-M to handover its central committee member and division commander of its PLA Kali Bahadur Kham, accused of involvement in looting Chinese businessman, illegal trade of Yarsha Gumba and murdering businessman Ram Hari Shrestha to Police.

The UCPN-M Vice Chairman Baburam Bhattarai said that the Maoist revolution will continue until the establishment of "people?s state". He claimed that the path of revolution is moving ahead peacefully.

As sought by the UCPN-M on July 13, coalition partners ? the NC and CPN-UML ? have prepared a joint proposal for national consensus.

July 16

All four Madheshi parties, MJF, MJFL, TMLP and SP    agreed to reactivate their past alliance and form a common position during the new Government formation. 

July 18

The UCPN-M consulted with leaders of Madhesh-based parties and some fringe parties in the CA to seek support for a Maoist-led Government.  

The CPN-UML decided to name its Prime Ministerial candidate for a new Government. UML?s Standing Committee meeting, held at the party central office in Balku, Kathmandu took a decision to this effect.

July 19

The Madhesh Loktantrik Morcha (MLM) has hinted at joining the Government under the UCPN-M leadership if the latter agrees to address the issues of Madhesh. The MLM floated its condition to the Maoists during its meeting with the Maoists at Singha Durbar (Parliament).

Siraha District leader of the UCPN-M identified as Salim Khan, 35, was shot dead by an unidentified group. No arrest has been made so far.

The leaders of the UCPN-M have come up with conflicting views on political issue. While one of the Vice Chairmen, Narayan Kaji Shrestha, said the Maoists would back CPN-UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal for the post of Prime Minister if the party failed to garner enough support to lead the Government by July 21, Baburam Bhattarai, another Vice Chairman of the party said the party was yet to take a decision to that effect.

UCPN-M postponed its important politburo meeting - expected to take a final call on whether to forward a candidate from the party or support the CPN-UML candidate at the election to the post of Prime Minister stipulated for July 21- called for 9am of July 20 to 11am, waiting for the CPN-UML decision.

PLA Commander Nand Kishor Pun Pasang said that PLA?s Fifth Division ?Commander? Kali Bahadur Kham alias ?Bibidh?, who was dragged for his alleged involvement in illegal trade and robbery, is in constant touch with the party.

July 20

Police arrested vice president of the FSU in Sanothimi Campus in Bhaktapur District and ANNISU-R District leader Tulasi KC on the charge of murder attempt.

Three major political parties?UCPN-M, NC and CPN-UML filed their own candidature in the Parliament secretariat. Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda filed his nomination for the election of the Prime Minister. From CPN-UML side its Chairman Jhalanath Khanal filed his candidacy. And for NC vice chairman and parliamentary party leader Ram Chandra Poudel filed his nomination. However, the United Democratic Madheshi Front, an alliance of Madhesh-based parties, has decided not to file for a nomination.

July 21

The political parties failed to pick a new Prime Minister as none of the contenders succeeded in securing a clear majority in the voting held in the legislative session of the Constituent Assembly at the CA hall in New Baneswar in capital Kathmandu.

Police resorted to baton charge after agitating UCPN-M aligned ANTUF picketed Kiran Shoes Manufacturing Industries in Kathmandu. Maoists have shut the industry for the last 28 days demanding permanent status for employees who have worked for more than 240 days, implementation of earlier agreements and withdrawal of disciplinary action against employees.

Constituent Assembly conducted voting on the nominations of the UCPN-M and Nepali Congress NC in which neither of them could garner a simple majority while the CPN-UML nominator withdrew his party?s candidature at the last moment.

The legislature-Parliament will conduct the run off election on July 23 to settle the contention of finding a new Prime Minister.

The Constituent Assmbly rejected UCPN-M chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal's name for the new Prime minister. Announcing the results of the election. The CA Chairman, Subash Nembang said that 140 votes were cast against him. However, 236 lawmakers preferred staying neutral. As the proposal to elect Dahal could not garner the majority votes, the Speaker announced that it was rejected as per the constitutional provisions.

July 22

A bandh called by JTMM affected life in Mahottari District. JTMM called the day-long "Madhesh bandh", hitting hard the District's public transportation services with no vehicles plying in the roads in the District. JTMM said it called the bandh in memory of its leader Abhinash Mukti who was killed by security forces a year ago.

The UCPN-M has decided to support CPN-UML conditionally chairman Jhala Nath Khanal at the elections for the post of Prime Minister. A meeting of the party office-bearers held at party headquarters in Kathmandu decided to support Khanal if UML can secure a two-third majority at the Parliament.

A meeting of United Democratic Madheshi Front, resurrected by the four Madhesh based parties MJF, MJFL, TMLP and the SP decided to list their conditions to lend their support to the candidates for the post of the Prime Minister in the runoff election.

July 23

None of the two contenders of the Prime Ministerial post?UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and NC Parliamentary Party Leader Ramchandra Poudel?could secure the required 300 votes in the runoff election.

The Business Advisory Committee comprising representatives of 25 parties in the Constituent Assembly (CA) will fix a new date for run-off elections if the polling yields no result, said CA Chairman Subash Nembang .

The UCPN-M chairman and the party's prime ministerial candidate Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda held a series of meetings of the fringe parties in bid to win their support for him in the run-off voting to be conducted. Prachanda was to meet the leaders of Madheshi parties, but the meeting could not take place with the Madheshi leaders remaining busy in a discussion to work out a common strategy.

Maoist Chairman Dahal garnered 241 votes in his favour, and 113 votes were cast against him while 218 lawmakers stayed away from the voting. Out of 599, altogether 572 lawmakers were present at today's House session. Like wise, the proposal to elected Poudel as PM garnered only 123 votes, 241 votes were against him and 214 lawmakers remained neutral. The Parliament had decided to hold the re-election after none of the contestants vying for the prime minister's post could not muster the required clear majority (300 votes) on July 21 election, while the CPN-UML candidate Jhalanath Khanal pulled back at the last moment as per his party?s decision to continue the candidacy only if he could draw the support a two-thirds majority (401) votes.

During the re-election held today, the UML, third largest party in the CA, and United Democratic Madheshi Front (UDMF), which holds 82 block votes, had decided to stay neutral. The UDMF, alliance of Madhesh-based parties, had decided to stay away from the re-election citing the need for further discussion with other major parties on its concept paper presented. The third runoff election has been called on August 2.

July 25

The UDMF demanded a formal commitment from the UCPN-M. The Maoists have said that they are positive on most of the demands

The Minister for Peace and Reconstruction of the caretaker Government, Rakam Chemjong, has said that a new Government under the leadership of the UCPN-M can only be possible if they turn into, as what he called, "a civilian party".

July 26

JTMM exploded a bomb at the residence of Nepalgunj District Municipality?s administrative officer Mohan Hamal based in Banke Gaun of Nepalgunj- 12. According to the Police, however, the explosion caused no big loss. The party accused Hamal of being involved in corruption and claimed the bombing was a warning to him.

MJF decided to withdraw all protest programmes including indefinite closure of markets and transportation in Nawalparasi District after the District administration office acknowledged mistakes committed by local police personnel. MJF had declared indefinite strike in the District to protest against Police accesses on their local cadres over minor issues.

The Political party leaders and intellectuals said that the ever mushrooming underground groups in the Madhesh should not be encouraged by recognising them as political forces. Speaking at a programme, they said the Madheshi people have been suffering due to the violent activities of the armed groups despite their genuine demand for an autonomous Madhesh state.

The UCPN-M leader Agni Sapkota said that election for the post of Prime Minister is also "connected with country's nationality". Speaking at an interaction programme held in Kathmandu, Sapkota, said that there was a clear intervention of the "foreign forces" in the election for the post of prime minister that has been held twice without any clear outcome.

July 27

SJMM cadres exploded a powerful bomb targeting the shop of Murkuchi Trade and Commerce Chairman Rajendra Prasad Sah in Udaypur District. According to the Police, the explosion made minor damages as it was exploded outside the shop. The leaflets of SJMM putting forth five point-demands, including the formation of ethnical Government, were recovered from the incident site.

The UCPN-M leaders are all set to dispatch an official letter to UDMF in view of its reaction to their demands. The UDMF is seeking a written commitment in return for their demand to vote for Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal alias Prachanda in the third round of the Prime Minister?s election scheduled on August 2.

A writ has been filed at the Supreme Court against withdrawal of the motion to elect CPN-UML chairman Jhala Nath Khanal to the post of Prime Minister at the legislature parliament. Advocates Kumar Acharya and Bhabishwar Gurung, who is also a member of CPN-UML legal department, filed a joint petition claiming the withdrawal of the motion is illegal as such provision is not mentioned anywhere in the parliamentary regulations.

July 28

A lesser known under-ground military outfit, Joint Ethnic Liberation Front (JELF) claimed responsibility for the bomb blast at the house of Rajendra Sah, a trader at Mukurchi Bazaar of Rauta VDC-9 in Udaypur District, on July 25. According to the Police sources, no human casualty was reported in the blast. On July 27 SJMM cadres also exploded a powerful bomb targeting the shop of Murkuchi Trade and Commerce Chairman Rajendra Prasad Sah.

The UCPN-M vice chairman Baburam Bhattarai reiterated that there is no option to a national consensus Government comprising of UCPN-M, NC, CPN-UML and the Madhesh-based parties for successful completion of the peace process and timely promulgation of the constitution. At a meeting with British Ambassador to Nepal, Andrew Hall, Bhattarai stressed on the need of a national consensus Government saying a majority Government like the present one cannot serve the agenda of peace and constitution.

The MJF chairman Upendra Yadav said the UDMF, the alliance of four Madheshi parties including MJF, will not stay neutral in the third Prime Ministerial run-off slated for August 2. "We have been discussing that we should not stay neutral in the next voting for the prime minister. We will arrive at a decision by then," Yadav said while speaking at the Reporters Club in Kathmandu.

July 29

A cadre of the UCPN-M identified as Keshari Prasad Yadav, resident of Parshuram VDC of Bara District, was shot dead by the Ajad faction of SJTMM-A in Bara District. UCPN-M called a bandh in the District protesting against the murder. Yadav was a member of the Maoists' Bhojpura Rajya Samiti.

The chairman of the CPN-UML Jhalanath Khanal said that his party is ready to support any Prime Ministerial candidate in order to address the national agenda of peace and constitution. However, he urged the Prime Ministerial candidates from the UCPN-M and the NC to withdraw the candidacy and lay a new foundation of national consensus.

The UCPN-M prepared a letter expressing the party's commitment on the "common paper" of the demands put forth by the UDMF. A meeting of the Maoist office bearers held at the party Chairman Prachanda?s residence reached a conclusion that the party should express written commitment to the conditions presented by UDMF.

The Vice Chairman of the UCPN-M Baburam Bhattarai said that his party is ready to finish the important task of integration and rehabilitation of Maoist combatants by separating those among them who want to be integrated into the State Security Forces from those who do not. He also said that this will be done by bringing the Maoist combatants under the AISC.

July 30

The Chairman of the CPN-UML, Jhana Nath Khanal, once again reiterated the party's earlier decision to remain neutral in the third round of election for the post of Prime Minister on August 2. Khanal said his party was firm in not supporting any candidate in the next PM run-off.

Deputy Prime Minister and NC central leader Sujata Koirala revealed that her party is ready to withdraw its PM candidacy if other parties become ready for "national consensus".

July 31

JTMM-R issued an ultimatum of 72 hours to Madhesh-based party leaders to resign from their posts and participate in the SMMA. Issuing a press release, JTMM chairman and supreme commander, Rajan Mukti, asked the Madheshi leaders not to support, assist, or protect any Government that may be formed under the leadership of a Nepali speaking leader. Physical actions will be taken against anyone who fails to comply with or goes against the terms of the ultimatum, the press release reads. Physical actions will also be taken against the Madhesh-based party leaders who participate in the "drama" of Government formation that is going on in the Legislature-Parliament, JTMM warned.

The Whip of the MJF parliamentary party Abhishek Pratap Shah claimed that the UDMF will vote for the Maoists in the PM election scheduled for August 2. "We will form a majority Government first which would turn into a national consensus Government later," he claimed while addressing a face-to-face organised by Reporters Club in Kathmandu.

Cadres of Lumbuwan State Force (LSF), a newly emerged armed outfit, stormed a Police station at Panchamibazar of Banjho in Ilam District. Around two dozen cadres from the outfit attacked the Police station and made off with a communication set when more than half a dozen Police officers were out for rescue operation in a landslide-hit area, Police said. They launched the attack to mark the declaration of a fresh ?armed revolution? for the liberation of Lumbuwan. However, the outfit has claimed to have captured arms and communication equipments from the station.

August 1

An unidentified person carried out explosion at Kalaiya Dairy Centre in Bara District leaving the Dairy vehicle damaged. However, no human casualty has been reported.

The Police arrested alleged armed robbers, including two UCPN-M combatants in connection with July 30 attempted robbery in a jwellery shop in Gongabu area of Kathmandu.

A meeting of the UDMF held to take the decision regarding its support to the Prime Ministerial candidate ended inconclusively. Leaders of the UDMF, an alliance of four Madhesh-based parties, parted their ways after deciding to meet again on August 2 after they failed to come to an agreement on whom to lend their support.

The NC which is vying for the post of Prime Minister, on submitted its stand on the demands of the Madhesh-based parties in a bid to secure the latter?s support for the Prime Ministerial runoff slated for August 2. The NC handed over its commitment paper on Madheshi demands at the parliamentary party office of Sadbhawana Party. However, the NC has not accepted the UDMF demand for declaring ?One Madhesh One Province?.

The CPN-UML issued a whip to its lawmakers to stay neutral at the election to the post of Prime Minister on August 2. UML parliamentary party whip Tham Maya Thapa Magar asked all lawmakers from the party to compulsorily attend the meeting of House at the stipulated time and place and stay neutral during the voting.

August 2

The third round of the Prime Ministerial election ended inconclusively despite some lawmakers from the MJF crossing the floor and voting for UCPN-M Chairman Prachanda. The fourth round of voting for the Prime Minister election has been scheduled for 3 p.m. on August 6. Prachanda garnered 259 votes, while his opponent NC candidate Ram Chandra Poudel got 124 votes in the polling. Of the 599 Members of Parliament, the winning candidate had to secure 300 votes to form a majority Government.

MJF Chairman Upendra Yadav remarked that the Madheshi front?s decision to stay neutral has nothing to do with political bargaining. He accused the big three political parties of holding the nation hostage of indecision. The MJF Chair made such remark a day after MJF-L said that it is high time to bargain with the parties over the demand of ?One Madhesh, One Province?.

The BAC of the legislature parliament has decided to hold the fourth round of election to the post of Prime Minister on August 6.

The UCPN-M dispatched a revised ''commitment letter'' to address the demands raised by the UDMF and possibly convince them into supporting the party.

August 3

The PLA of the UCPN-M called for applications to fill the vacant posts in the PLA. PLA spokesperson Chandra Prakash Khanal said the PLA decided to fill the vacant posts as the National Army carried on with the recruitment drive by breaching the peace agreement.

The UNMIN said that the recruitment in National Army and in PLA breach of the past pacts, including CPA. In a statement UNMIN said it is "deeply concerned at reports that the Nepal Army, and the Maoist army, plan to undertake fresh recruitment."

Leaders of the Madhesh-based parties assured caretaker PM Madhav Kumar Nepal that they will not support UCPN-M in the next round of election to the post of PM saying the Maoists had not shown interest for integration and rehabilitation of its combatants and management of arms.

UCPN-M denied the request to withdraw the candidacy of party Chairman Prachanda for the post of Prime Minister. In a meeting held at Maoist parliamentary party office with CPN-UML, the Maoist leaders said the party will not pull out of the Prime Ministerial race.

A politburo member of the UCPN-M, Ram Karki , said that party chairman Prachanda should take initiative for consensus by withdrawing his candidacy for the Prime Minister. "The party chairman should withdraw his candidacy and make efforts to reach consensus as the attempts for forming majority Government have proved meaningless," he said.

August 4

Thee civilians, including two minors, were injured when a bomb went off in Pataura VDC secretary?s residence in Rautahat District executed by an unidentified gang. The explosion might have been executed by cadres of the underground organisation whose donation demands were not met, Police said.

A bandh enforced by JTMM-J affected normal life in Bara, Parsa and Rautahat Districts. The outfit called the shutdown demanding release of its Parsa District in-charge Bhuj Patel who was arrested two weeks ago along with weapons by Police.

UCPN-M plunged into a serious internal dispute over whether to end the ongoing Prime Minister electoral process or adopt a ?new course?. The reports suggest that the Party Vice Chairman Babu Ram Bhattarai?s faction wants to end the poll process and amend Parliamentary regulations to form a unity Government.

UCPN-M said it would not accept "foreign intervention" in the formation of the new Government. The Maoist decision came soon after former Indian foreign secretary Shyam Sharan arrived in Kathmandu "to facilitate the Poliltical consultations".

US Ambassador to Nepal Scott H. DeLisi held discussion with leaders of the UDMF an alliance of four Madheshi parties. A team of Madheshi leaders including Bijay Kumar Gachhadar, Rajendra Mahato, Jayprakash Prasad Gupta, Mahendra Ray Yadav and Mahanta Thakur met the US envoy at his residence in Kamaladi, Kathmandu, and briefed him on the UDMF's official position on the election for the Prime Minister.

August 5

JTMMP warned of taking physical against the 11 Madheshi CA members who voted for UCPN-M Chairman Prachanda in the third round of Prime Ministerial election on August 2 by defying the party's directives. In a press statement issued, Bhagat Singh, identifying himself as the chairman of JTMMP and supreme commander of army, claimed that the outfit?s central committee has decided to take action against the lawmakers who voted for Maoist Chairman Dahal in Prime Minister election.

The third run-off election for the Prime Minister will be held on.

A youth group of the MJF-L disrupted the secret talks between the UCPN-M and women lawmakers from Madhesh-based parties. The lawmakers emerged out of the backdoor of Hotel Sunset in Kathmandu, after the youth group who came in two Government vehicles barged into the hotel Hotel Sunset in Nayabaneshowar, where the discussion was underway.

NC made it clear its "second priority" is not to let the UCPN-M attain power at any cost, though it is less hopeful of its first priority ? its own candidate becoming the next Prime Minister. Supporting Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) ? in case the much-touted "new course" is initiated as per UML demand ? is not the NC?s third priority. NC has told CPN-UML that its third priority is to "discuss" any other alternative to form its own majority Government.

Indian Prime Minister Man Mohan Singh's special emissary Shyam Saran intensified political parleys.

Two cadres of a lesser known Lumbuwan outfit, were arrested from Bhudhabare of Jhapa District for illegal possession of arms. A team of Armed Police and the Border Security Force arrested them along with an automatic Chinese pistol and its bullets while frisking the motorcycle-borne Lumbuwan cadres, said DSP Prem Raj Pokharel. Pokharel said identity cards of Lumbuwan State Council were seized from them.

August 6

The fourth round of election to the post of Prime Minister ended without any result. The Business Advisory Committee of the Parliament has decided to hold the fifth round of elections on August 18. The UCPN-M Chairman Prachanda bagged 213 votes, while his opponent, NC candidate, Ram Chandra Poudel garnered 122.

A group of national level leaders of the UCPN-M from Dhanusha District tendered a mass resignation from the party. 75 leaders tendered their resignation saying that the Central Leadership of the Party appointed Farmud Nadaf as the new CA member by disregarding their recommendation. Maoist Dhanusha District In-charge Roshan Janakpuri, Mahottari District In-charge Mahadev Yadav, central advisor Asharfi Vilwar, YCL Dhanusha District In-charge Shyam Yadav, his deputy Jhalku Yadav, are among those tendering collective resignation.

Two newly nominated CA members from the UCPN-M Ram Kumar Paswan and Farmud Nadaf were sworn just ahead of the fourth round of the prime ministerial election.

CA member, Raj Kumar Sharma, who deserted the TMLP to join the UCPN-M, claimed that he has been receiving death threats over the Prime Ministerial poll. Lawmaker Sharma further added threats were issued that his daughter would be suspended from her newly joined college if he did not comply.

Defence Minister Bidhya Bhandari said that the Government would deploy security forces to stop the Maoist's PLA from undertaking fresh recruitment as per its recent announcement in response to the opening of vacancies in various positions by Nepal Army in its infantry division. "

August 8

The Police arrested a local leader of the UCPN-M in Bara District, identified as Radheshyam Prasad Saha (30), from Pharping on the outskirts of the Kathmandu along with one kilogram of brown sugar. According to the Police, Saha had been smuggling in the contraband to Kathmandu from Raxaul of neighbouring India via Hetaunda and Bhainse to evade the security checking.

The District Police Office Parsa made public Bhaju Patel, a central member of JTMM-J. In the press conference, Bhaju admitted he was behind the murder of Mahendra Tamang, Principal at Biruwaguthi-based Aamadevi English Boarding School and various incidents of bomb blast and extortion.

The Vice Chairman of UCPN-M Babu Ram Bhattarai?s separate meeting with Indian Prime minister's special envoy Shyam Saran has created controversy inside the party. According to sources in the Maoist party said the establishment faction is pressing in the party to demand clarification from Bhattarai in this matter.

UCPN-M Central Committee member and lawmaker Ram Kumar Sharma, who claimed few days ago that he received death threat by an Indian embassy official, has submitted a letter to CA Chairperson Subash Nemwang requesting the latter to immediately make arrangements for his security.

August 9

One civilian was injured when a socket bomb went off at the Birgunj Buspark in Birgunj Sub Metropolitian City-18 of Parsa District. The injured, identified as Sheikh Akbar (28), a resident of Gahawa Tol of Birgunj Metropolitan City-10, has sustained injuries in the face. Janatantrik Terai Madhesh Mukti Tigers, an armed outfit, has owned up the responsibility of the blast.

Kathmandu District Court issued an arrest warrant against Kali Bahadur Kham, central committee leader of the UCPN-M and a division commander of the party?s PLA, on charges of looting.

The UCPN-M called its Central Committee meeting to dig out the intra-party rift and chart out its future course. Maoist leaders say the CC meeting beginning from August 11 is likely to arrive at conclusion on talking the "new line". However, the meaning of the "new line" mean is yet to come to light. Leaders say the party will continue its struggle for national independence and peace.

The care taker Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal said there will be little possibility of the fifth round of election giving the country a consensus Government if no one makes sacrifices for stable peace.

Further, the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) convened its Central Committee (CC) meeting to discuss the party's stand and its future course. The CC meeting has been called for 11 am on August 11. It has been learnt that the meeting was called to review the election to the post of prime minister as the UML has been facing mounting pressure over its decision to stay neutral in the election.

UCPN-M Vice Chairman Baburam Bhattarai said that foreign interference can be fought only after strengthening nationality. Speaking at the second District conference of ANNISU-R, Purbanchal University, Kathmandu Valley Committee, he said nationality will be strong in a true sense if the country can be made self-dependent by getting rid of foreign dependence.

The UCPN-M dispatched an official letter to the Indian embassy in Kathmandu demanding clarification from the latter over the alleged threats to Maoist central member and lawmaker Ram Kumar Sharma. Maoist Secretary CP Gajurel informed that the party will submit a memorandum to the Indian Government after receiving reply of the letter from the embassy.

UCPN-M Secretary CP Gajurel blamed the "naked intervention" of India for the parties failing to elect a new Prime Minister even after four rounds of election.

August 10

The two groups led by Prachanda and Baburam Bhattarai will spur heated discussions in the upcoming Central Committee of the party. The Central Committee meeting scheduled for August 10 has been postponed to August 11 on the ground that more time is needed for completing preparations for the event. Both factions of the leaders supporting Chairman Prachanda and Vice Chairman Baburam Bhattarai are impatient to "vent their ire" against each other.

UCPN-M spokesperson Dina Nath Sharma said his party chairman and Prime Ministerial candidate Prachanda is ready to withdraw his candidacy for the Prime Minister provided other parties agreed to amend the Interim Constitution to revive the system of consensus Government.

The Parliamentary Committee on International Relations and Human Rights summoned Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala and enquired about the alleged threats to UCPN-M central member and lawmaker Ram Kumar Sharma by Indian embassy official. She informed that the Indian embassy in response said that the "embassy doesn?t dignify such baseless reports and allegations".

CPN-UML leader K.P Oli said that he is amused seeing a "proletariat party" buying the lawmakers of a "capitalist party", claiming that the UCPN-M spent some NR 50 million just to buy the lawmakers from other political parties to ensure its victory in the election for a Prime Minister.

The CPN-UML secretary and Communication Minister Shankar Pokharel said his party is not going to support UCPN-M Prime Ministerial candidate Prachanda at any cost. Speaking at a programme in Kathmandu, Pokharel said the UML would not back the Maoists to lead the Government as long as they do not dissociate themselves from the combatants and the weapons.

Accusing the UCPN-Maoist for detaching from the revolutionary ideology and adopting luxurious lives, four of its District level cadres quit the party and joined the breakaway faction of Matrika led CPN-Maoist. Releasing a press statement they also accused the UCPN-M of not complying with the mandate of its decade long 'People's Revolution' and forgetting the agenda of the proletariats.

August 11

Several students were injured when students appearing in BBS II year examination of Tribhuvan University at Mahendra Multiple Campus in Nepalgunj District clashed with students of UCPN-M affiliated ANNISU-R on August 11. The clash ensued after the ANNISU-R, who were protesting the proposed autonomy to the campus, disrupted the exams by tearing up the question papers of the examinees.

A crucial meeting of central committee members of the CPN-UML which took place at a time when the party has been sharply divided over Prime Ministerial election ended endorsing a nine-point consensus proposal. The CPN-UML again restated the party's earlier decision to stay neutral in the next PM run-off election. Today's meeting also decided to ask the UCPN-M chairman Prachanda and NC vice president, Ram Chandara Poudel to withdraw their candidacies in order to clear way for conducting PM election through other means.

The former Indian Ambassador to Nepal K. V. Rajan arrived in Kathmandu. He is scheduled to hold consultations with top leaders of major political parties.

August 12

Minister without Portfolio Laxman Lal Karna, who is also vice-chairman of SP revealed that the Madhesh-based political parties didn't extend their support to UCPN-M in the election for a Prime Minister because of it being a "totalitarian" party. Speaking at a programme organised in Parsa District he accused the Maoists of engaging in all kinds of dirty games to grab power and warned that the former rebel party is trying to impose totalitarianism in the name of democracy in the country.

NC General Secretary Bimalendra Nidhi said that unless and until UCPN-M abandons arms, Government of national consensus cannot be formed.

The UCPN-M has expressed its willingness to withdraw its candidacy for the Prime Minister?s post if the NC becomes ready for the same. The Maoist became flexible during a meeting with the top leaders of the CPN-UML held at its parliamentary party office in Singha Durbar.

The CC meeting of the UCPN-M, which started at the party headquarters Perisdanda, Kathmandu has been postponed till August 19 reports. The meeting adjourned soon after party chairman Prachanda presented a 13-point political draft in which he has analysed the current political scenario and has outlined the party's future plan.

August 13

The TJSC warned that they would launch stern protests if the parties agreed on One Madhesh province. "If the Government fails to implement the Six-Point Agreement reached with TJSC two years ago, we will be forced to launch struggle," said Shailendra Chaudhary, a student leader affiliated to TJSC.

The Home Ministry of Nepal said that its attention has been drawn towards the "Country Reports on Terrorism" made public by Office of the Coordinator for Counter terrorism of the US that stated that there is "possibility of movement of international terrorists in Nepal" as published by various media.

The former king Gyanendra Shah conferred with visiting senior Indian diplomat KV Rajan, who is also former Indian Ambassador to Nepal, at a programme held in Kathmandu.

August 15

The NC proposal to form a Government under its leadership on a four-month "rotation basis", with UCPN-M and CPN-UML each taking subsequent four-month turns, was rejected. ".

The leaders of both NC and the UCPN-M once again ruled out the possibility of withdrawing their PM candidacy. NC senior leader Ram Saran Mahat and UCPN-M secretary Posta Bahadur Bogati expressed such an opinion amidst an interaction programme held in Kathmandu.

The Minister for Land Reform and Management, Dambar Bahadur Shrestha said that the UCPN-M and monarchists were merging soon.. Distributing land ownership certificates to the landless people at Hatiya, Minister Shrestha reasoned that the Maoists were hobnobbing with the monarchists.

The UCPN-M chairman Prachanda agreed to withdraw its candidacy for the Prime Minister's post given that all the political stakeholders genuinely agree on the formation of a national consensus Government. In a written reply sent by Prachanda to CPN-UML chairman Jhalanath Khanal on the Maoists stated that the party wants to make it clear that it is always open to explore all the possibilities and alternatives to form a consensus Government.

The TMLP decided to lodge a request at the CA for termination of the CA membership of Ram Kumar Sharma, who quit the party a year ago and joined the UCPN-M. A meeting of the TMLP central committee decided to request the CA chairman to start process for scrapping the CA membership of Sharma, who was elected from Mahottari-4 of Mahottari District. The party will submit the formal request in this regard on August 17, leaders said.

JMCC which was failed to meet after a fresh row over recruitment drives of the Nepal Army and the PLA of the UCPN-M erupted early August 2010, is planning to convene this week to resolve the dispute. Though the UNMIN declared that both the NA and the PLA "breached" the past deals, the signatory parties have serious differences over the very objection of the UN body.

A bandh called by Federal Democratic National Front, a fringe party with two seats in the Parliament, partially affected normal life in various Districts including Dang, Banke, Bardiya, Kailali, Kanchanpur, Sindhupalchok, Chitwan and Dhankuta. FDNF called the bandh in Districts falling in Tharuhat, Limbuwan, Khumbuwan and Tamsaling areas demanding for a guarantee of the rights of indigenous people and formation of a national consensus.

The election to the post of Prime Minister slated for August 18 will be postponed till next week due to the death of UCPN-M lawmaker Ramkumari Yadav, according to an agreement among the whips of major political parties in the Parliament. A meeting of the whips called by Speaker of legislature Parliament Subash Chandra Nemwang at his office in Parliament agreed to postpone the PM election till next week.

The senior UCPN-M leader Dev Gurung said that his party is ready to extend its support to CPN-UML in the fifth round of election for a PM slated for August 18 if the latter gives up its stance for a "consensus Government".

Top leaders of the NC met caretaker PM Madhav Kumar Nepal, along with some senior CPN-UML leaders. During the meeting held at PM Nepal's official residence, Baluwatar, the NC leaders complained that the UML's stance on staying neutral in the PM election was prolonging the deadlock, and requested UML's support.

In a crackdown on arms suppliers, the Police arrested two persons, identified as, Rajesh Thami, of Dolakha District and Sanu Kaji Baduwal, of Sindhupalchowk District along with explosives from Bhaktapur District. The Police recovered 29 sets of detonators, 35 sets of gelatin, letter pad belonging to Janatantrik Morcha and donation receipt from them.

The UCPN-M lawmaker Ram Kumar Sharma tendered his resignation from the post of CA member and lawmaker. Sharma, who is also the central committee member of the Maoist party, resigned from the post after his former party, TMLP, initiated process against him of his CA membership.

The UCPN-M secretary C.P Gajurel blamed India for the current deadlock in Nepal, claiming that India is preventing the CPN-UML and the Madheshi parties from declaring their support in the Prime Ministerial election. "India has tied the hands of the CPN-UML and the four Madheshi parties," he said at the Reporters Club in Kathmandu.

Constituent Assembly Chairman Subash Chandra Nembang said lack of unity among political leaders at a crucial time like this had surprised him. "The party leaders, who had joined hands to fight regression, are not in the same league. I do not understand why," Nembang said.

The UCPN-M Central Committee meeting that was rescheduled for August 19 was deferred. A meeting of Maoist office bearers held at party central office in Koteswar, Kathmandu, decided to hold the CC meeting on August 23.

Cadres of the UCPN-M student wing ANNISU-R vandalised the Higher Secondary Education Board (HSEB) in Sanothimi of Bhaktapur. ANNISU-R general secretary Himal Sharma claimed that ANNISU-R carried out the vandalism as a warning since the HSEB and the Government remained apathetic towards taking action against the colleges run illegally.

The UCPN-M vice chairman Mohan Baidya said that his party will take ahead the "agitation of national independence" from a new height. Baidya added the country is currently being operated under the remote control. He remarked that the Maoists' pro-people revolution won't be successful without intensifying the agitation for national independence.

The NC acting President Sushil Koirala ruled out the possibility of working together with the UCPN-M until the latter implements the past agreements concerning the peace and constitution drafting.

Several District leaders and activists from Kaski District of the CPN-UML rebelled from the party to join the UCPN-M. Saligram Poudel, a CPN-UML candidate for the Kaski District by-election of the Constituent Assembly was among the former UML leaders and activists who changed party.

The Chief of the UNMIN, Karin Landgren, conferred with leaders of the big three political parties - UCPN-M, NC and CPN-UML - discussing the possible extension of the mission's term, which expires on September 15. During the meeting held at Kathmandu, Landgren asked the leaders to support UMNIN's role in Nepal and accordingly extend the term to accomplish the remaining tasks of the ongoing peace process.

The UCPN-M Chairman Prachanda remarked that the Prime Minister could not be picked due to the failure of parliamentary procedure. He, however, refuted the accusations that the Maoist is the main hurdle in the process to elect new prime minister. He revealed that his party repeatedly held discussions with the SLMM and expressed hopes that the latter will support his candidacy in August 23 PM election.

The CPN-UML decided to participate in the sixth round of the PM elections given that the election scheduled for August 23 ends inconclusively. The UML made up its mind to participate in the sixth round of elections in order to preclude further indecisiveness.

The NC decided not to withdraw its PM candidacy. A meeting of the office bearers and central committee members convened in Kathmandu reiterated its stand to go for the PM election unless the UCPN-M comes up with a new alternative for consensus.

The CPN-UML proposed a four-month timeline to complete the task of integrating and rehabilitating Maoist combatants. It also decided not to vote in any round of PM elections while also calling upon other parties to withdraw their candidacy to start a "new course" for the formation of a national consensus Government.

According to Nepal News, the leaders of the major three parties - NC, UCPN- M and CPN-UML - and the UDMF agreed that they would sit for "serious discussions" to resolve the current political deadlock the nation has been witnessing given that August 23 PM elections, too, fails as before. Leaders expressed such a commitment to the chairman of CA, Subash Chandra Nemwang, during a meeting held at Nemwang's office at Parliament.

August 23

The fifth round of PM elections ended inconclusively on after both the candidates - UCPN-M Chairman Prachanda and NC Parliamentary Party leader Ram Chandra Poudel - failed to secure a majority. Prachanda garnered 246 votes while Poudel obtained 124 votes in polling. The major voting blocks, the CPN-UML and the SLMM, abstained from voting for any of the two candidates for the fifth time.

The leaders of NC agreed to come up with a separate proposal to forge consensus among the political parties to resolve the ongoing election fiasco at the legislature parliament. "We have agreed to prepare a new consensus proposal if the parliament fails to elect new Prime Minister," NC's spokesperson, Arjun Narsingh KC, told reporters after the meeting.

The caretaker PM Madhav Kumar Nepal claimed the draft of consensus prepared by the CPN-UML will lead to a solution to the current stalemate and that the parties should accept the proposal. "Consensus is possible if UCPN-M and NC are ready for discussion on the UML's proposal".

August 24

The CPN-UML formed a high-level team to hold dialogue with the other parties in a bid to build national consensus and break the political crisis that has intensified in the wake of the standoff in PM Election.

NA chief Gurung started lobbying to stop the extension of the current mandate of UNMIN. The CoAS met leaders of various political parties other than the UCPN-M representing in the Army Integration Special Committee (AISC) and asked them not to extend the current mandate of UNMIN.

August 25

The CC meeting of UCPN-M that had begun on August 12 finally convened. A politburo member said vice chairmen Mohan Baidhya and Baburam Bhattarai presented different written or verbal documents during the CC meeting, countering the chairman?s proposal on some crucial issues.

The CC meeting of the UCPN-M which was held in Kathmandu witnessed a division among the leadership opinions. According to sources, the vice-chairman of UCPN-M Baburam Bhattarai and senior leader Mohan Baidya presented a "counter report" against the political document presented by Chairman Prachanda.

The NA said it will boycott the meeting of JMCC scheduled for on August 26. "We have taken this decision after the UN rejected our request not to table the agenda concerning Army recruitment in tomorrow?s meeting," said NA Spokesman Ramindra Chhetri.

The NA accused the UNMIN of conniving with UCPN-M to tarnish the image of the NA and prolong its stay beyond September 15.

August 26

Two people, including a cadre of YCL, were arrested on the charge of illegal possession of weapons in Falewash of Parvat District.

Police arrested one Sujit B.K., who has been charged with killing of CPN-UML leader Prachanda Thaiba in Butwal of Rupandehi District on March 26, 2009, from a hotel in Sundhara of Tanahu District. Sujit, former Rupandehi District in-charge of YCL, is in most-wanted list of criminals.

RPP-N Chairman Kamal Thapa claimed that the UCPN-M is positive about reviving the monarchy. He revealed that UCPN-M Chairman Prachanda has realised the importance of Monarchy to save the nationality. "The Maoist leaders told me the foreigners? meddling has increased in the country after the monarchy was sidelined," said Thapa, during an interaction at Reporter?s Club in Kathmandu. He asserted that the NC and CPN-UML are also flexible on the same.

The PLA said NA has tried to push the peace process towards further uncertainty by challenging the tenure of the UNMIN. In a press statement, PLA Chief Nanda Kishore Pun said the Army's lobbying against the term extension of UNMIN and its decision to boycott a meeting of the JMCC shows that the Army is not honest in taking the fragile peace process to its logical end.

The NC acting president Sushil Koirala said that there is no alternative to the majority system in a democratic process. He made it clear that the NC will not backtrack from the Legislature-Parliament reiterating that the PM election should be settled from the Parliament itself.

The UCPN-M banned its central members from bringing out the political documents presented by party Chairman Prachanda and Vice Chairmen duo Baburam Bhattarai and Mohan Baidya outside the meeting hall. Arrangements were made to allow the party central members to study the political documents at the ongoing Maoist CC.

August 27

The UCPN-M leaders met the ambassadors of permanent member countries of the UNSC to seek support for extending UNMIN term in Kathmandu. "We have requested the diplomats to support the extension of UNMIN so that the peace process can be completed within the remaining nine months," said Maoist Vice Chairman Baburam Bhattarai.

The Chief of UNMIN, Karin Landgren, met CA chairman Subash Nemwang in Kathmandu, discussing issues related to the peace process. During the meeting, UNMIN chief reiterated that the Government takes a decision on whether to extend the term of the mission, which expires on September 15.

Central members of the UCPN-M are reportedly presenting their opinions on the three separate political documents presented by the top leaders in the ongoing CC meeting held at the party Head Quarter in Kathmandu since August 25. The members are floating views vis-à-vis on the three separate political documents tabled by Prachanda and vice chairmen Mohan Baidya and Baburam Bhattarai.

August 28

President Ram Baran Yadav summoned the leaders of the three major parties, UCPN-M, CPN-UML and NC to hold discussions on ending political deadlock. UCPN-M Chairman Prachanda, NC Acting President Sushil Koirala and CPN-UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal are present at the meeting that is underway in Kathmandu.

August 29

A powerful socket bomb was recovered at an examination center at Triyuga Municipality-5 in Udayapur District. The bomb was found at room no. 12 in Triyuga Janata Multiple Campus while the examinations were being conducted, the campus officials said. The bomb was found at time when some examinees of Siraha District had been protesting against the change of examination center.

Government decided to delay sending any formal request to UNSC regarding the extension of the time period of the UNMIN. According to report, the Government plans to remove Nepal Army from UNMIN''s monitoring.

In an all-party discussion convened by PM Madhav Kumar Nepal in Kathmandu, the Constituent Assembly parties suggested that UNMIN?s term should be extended for the last time with a revised mandate. However, the UCPN-M and the MJF stayed away from the all-party meeting.

The UCPN-M made it clear that the party is not in favour of any form of monarchy. The Maoist CC meeting held at the party headquarters in Parishdanda dismissed the claims made by PM Madhav Kumar Nepal that the party is in favour of cultural and religious monarchy. Likewise, the Maoist said there is the possibility of unity between the republican and nationalists for national independence and integrity.

MJF will not remain neutral in the sixth round of election for a PM. The MJF chief, Upendra Yadav, announced his party, which has remained neutral in the previous five rounds of election for a PM along with three of its alliance partners in the UDMF, will definitely participate in the sixth round of PM election.

August 30

CC members of the UCPN-M lambasted the working style of party chairman Prachanda mainly his monopoly in decision making. Commenting on political documents presented by Prachanda and Vice-Chairmen Babu Ram Bhattarai and Mohan Baidya, the majority of CC members said that the party Chairman is imposing a monopoly in the party and that his power should be curtailed and decentralised.

The Defence Minister of the caretaker Government, Bidhya Bhandari said that the NA cannot remain under the purview of UNMIN. She added that UNMIN?s term could be extended by three months but with a revised mandate.

A meeting between CoAS Chhatra Man Singh Gurung and UNMIN chief Karin Landgren convened at the NA headquarters in Kathmandu. According a press statement issued by the Directorate of Public Relations, NA, and the two discussed on agenda of common concern during the meeting.

August 31

CC meeting of the UCPN-M continued at the party headquarters Peris Danda for the seventh day. The meeting, which started on August 25 after being postponed thrice since August 12, is discussing three separate proposals tabled by the party's chairman Prachanda and two vice chairmen Mohan Baidya and Baburam Bhattarai.

The demand for a general convention resurfaced in UCPN-M few months after the party decided to defer the general conventions and hold an extended national conference citing unfavourable circumstances outside the party. Speaking at the ongoing meeting of the CC some leaders including Bam Dev Chhetri and Ganga Shrestha supported the idea of holding a general convention mentioned in the political dossier of vice chairman Baburam Bhattarai.

Some CC members of the UCPN-M said Prachanda is losing his grip on hardcore cadres, but has become popular among new entrants in the party. An unnamed CC member claimed that those leaders who fought in the insurgency, support hardliner Vice Chairman Mohan Baidya?s political document.

President Ram Baran Yadav, who held joint discussion with top leaders of the three major parties ? UCPN-M, NC and CPN-UML - on August 28 and with leaders of fringe parties - invited NWPP chairman Narayan Man Bijukchhe in Kathmandu for one-to-one discussion on the political scenario, especially the successive failures of the Prime Ministerial election.

UCPN-M chairman Prachanda said that his party will take a unilateral decision to extricate the country from the never-ending deadlock before the sixth round of PM elections on September 5. Prachanda said the Maoists in its capacity as the single largest party in the CA will take some decision to "drag the country out of the quagmire", which is further deepening the political crisis.

September 1

The Vice President Parmananda Jha said that the understanding among the political parties would provide the way forward to the country. "To talk about enforcing the presidential system is synonymous to revival of monarchy," he said, "Both of them are impossible." When asked about the Indian interference in Nepal''s affairs, the Vice President said that all kinds of intervention should be digested in this transitional period and the need of the hour is to move ahead by forging consensus.

The Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Rakesh Sood, met chairman of CPN-UML, Jhala Nath Khanal, and held discussion on the latest political developments in Nepal, especially the undecided election for the PM.

September 2

Activists of NC affiliated NSU and UCPN-M aligned ANNISU-R engaged in a violent clash at Kailashkut Multiple College Campus in Kathmandu injuring several persons.

The Indian criminals who are involved in various criminal activities in the border area have nexus with Terai-based armed outfits. District Police Office, Rautahat, claimed that some notorious Indian criminals committed crimes in the region in cahoots with the underground Terai groups. This came to the fore after an Indian criminal, who was recently arrested with arms, said during Police investigation that he is a member of an underground Terai outfit.

A majority of Maoist CC members asked Chairman Prachanda to come up with a single document incorporating "positive" ideas proposed by the other two Vice-Chairmen, Baburam Bhattarai and Mohan Baidya. This has virtually put aside Bhattarai and Baidya?s political documents that conflicted with and challenged the one presented by Dahal.

The CPN-ML General Secretary C. P. Mainali claimed that UCPN-M had offered him a sum of NR. 50 millions in exchange for supporting the Maoists to form a new Government

September 3

An audio tape reputed to be telephone conversations between UCPN-M Krishna Bahadur and a Chinese authority revealed that the Maoists asked for NR 500 million to distribute it to lawmakers of other political parties to have them vote for their candidate in the PM election to be conducted on September 5.

The UCPN-M has been warned from within that its very communist ideals are fast eroding. A majority of the party?s CC members has said the party is gradually bringing to manifest a huge and embarrassing paradox: The rise of new classes within the party, haves and have-nots. They strongly believe that as a community party, the ultimate goal of the UCPN-M is to achieve a classless society? as "the history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles."

The UCPN-M Chairman, Prachanda met top leaders of RPP, Chairman Pashupati Sumsher Rana and leader Lokendra Bahadur Chand, and asked for their support in the PM election.

The MJF and MJF-L indicated that they might back Maoist chairman Prachanda in the sixth round of the PM. "Maoists are more positive now on the proposal of the Front UDMF. We can back the Maoists if they agree on the proposal," MJF-L spokesperson Jintendra Dev said.

Leaders of two other constituents of the UDMF, SP and TMLP said the earlier decision of the Front to stay neutral had not changed. "Since the Maoists have not given clear commitment to the proposal, the Front will remain neutral in the sixth round of voting as well," said Laxman Lal Karna, SP vice-chairman and Minister without Portfolio.

UCPN-M vice chairman Baburam Bhattarai said that his party is ready to withdraw its candidacy from the PM poll in the parliament if NC, its only contender in the race, reciprocates by pulling out its candidacy too. The Maoist party ideologue made this clear at a press meet organised by Maoist aligned Revolutionary Journalists Association in Gorkha District headquarters.

September 5

The sixth consecutive bid to elect a new Prime Minister ended without making headway. In the sixth round of elections held at the Constituent Assembly hall in Nayabaneshwor of Kathmandu, UCPN-M Chairman Prachanda and NC Parliamentary Party leader Ram Chandra Poudel?could not secure the required 301 votes in the 601-member parliament.

Maoist Chairman Prachanda garnered 240 votes in his favour and 101 votes against, and 163 lawmakers stayed neutral, while his rival Ram Chandra Poudel garnered only 122 votes in his favour and 242 votes against him and 172 lawmakers abstained from voting. As per the Article 38, clause 2 of the Interim Constitution 2063, a candidate has to secure 301 votes for a simple majority in the 601-member Constituent Assembly to win the elections to the post of PM.

A meeting of the Parliamentary Business Advisory Committee decided to hold the seventh round of PM elections on September 7.

The TJMMP, an underground outfit unleashing violence in western Terai Districts, renewed its threat of taking physical action against Madheshi lawmakers if they vote in favour of UCPN-M Chairman Prachanda in the PM election race. Issuing a statement, faction chairman Bhagat Singh charged that the Maoists have resorted to political horse-trading to grab power. He also flayed China for "meddling" in internal matters of the country.

The MJF decided to dissociate itself from the SLMM?an alliance of Madhesh-based parties, saying that the country should not be held hostage for a longer period. Earlier, the SLMM had been staying neutral in the five rounds of PM elections. During a meeting of the SLMM held at the parliamentary party office of TMLP, the MJF had proposed to review the Madheshi front?s earlier stand.

NC acting President Sushil Koirala claimed that his party will tame the anarchic activities of the UCPN-M if allowed to form a new Government under its leadership. He asserted that only the NC-led Government could give a way out to the nation as the Maoist and CPN-UML leadership have proved a failure.

The Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Rakesh Sood, held discussion with PM Madhav Kumar Nepal. In the meeting that lasted for about an hour and a half, Sood suggested the PM to forge a national consensus. Sood stressed on the need for forging a national consensus citing that any decision made by the Nepalese on consensus basis will be acceptable to him, PM?s Foreign Advisor Rajan Bhattarai informed.

September 6

The UCPN-M is making final preparations for "a decisive people's war", but top party leaders are discussing new approaches to wage it, a senior Maoist leader, C.P. Gajurel said. Gajurel said that the ongoing CC meeting of his party is weighing various options and new approaches to wage the people's revolt.

The MJF, which boycotted the meeting of the UDMF, has made up its mind to vote for the UCPN-M in the Prime Ministerial run-off election scheduled for September 7. An MJF leader told that his party will vote for the Maoists. We will strive to convince the other parties of the Madheshi front to vote for the UCPN-M to end the current deadlock before deciding unilaterally to vote for the Maoists, he said.

At a time when six rounds of elections in the Parliament have failed to elect a new PM, Speaker Scubas Nembang has proposed two alternatives to the political parties to break the deadlock. The first alternative is withdrawal of candidacy by both the NC and the UCPN-M as per clause 22 of Parliamentary Rules. The second alternative, which will be used if the first fails, is to scrap the provision in the Parliamentary Rules that allows lawmakers to abstain from voting.

The JMCC asked the political leadership to look into the recruitment row in the Nepal Army and the PLA. The tripartite mechanism comprising representatives of UNMIN, the NA and the PLA made an understanding to this effect on September 5 afternoons. The NA had earlier boycotted the JMCC meet on Aug. 27 after its decision to enlist of 3,464 personnel was kept on the agenda of the meeting.

The meeting of the Council of Ministers held in Singha Durbar (Parliament) vested caretaker PM Madhav Kumar Nepal with the sole authority to decide on whether or not to extend the tenure of the UNMIN, which expires on September 15, as well as reducing its mandate so as to remove the Nepal Army from its supervision.

In the meantime the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called upon the parties to Nepal's peace process to continue with the current mandate of the mission. "Under the circumstances, the Secretary General recommends that the current mandate of UNMIN be rolled over in order to permit the necessary discussions to take place with a duly formed Government," a press statement issued by UNMIN said.

The Secretary-General might even propose "alternative measures" including "termination of the UNMIN mandate" should these discussions offer neither clarity nor any prospect of consensus among the parties to the CPA and the AMMAA regarding a realistic and time-bound fulfillment of their commitments concerning the armies and the phasing out of UNMIN monitoring.

The AISC extended its Technical Committee's term by another four months. A meeting of the AISC in Singha Durbar decided to extend the Technical Committee's term till January 14, 2011. Its current term is ending on September 14.

September 7

Police arrested two UCPN-M?s PLA ?commanders?, identified Raju Basyal alias Ramesh and Bindu Pun Magar alias Arpana, in Nawalparasi District for their alleged involvement in robbery and loot. Police recovered two plastic hand grenades, one each Chinese pistol and revolver, five rounds of bullet, one set of PLA combat dress, from their possession.

The UCPN-M expressed serious concern over the Supreme Court decision to slap a life term on Bal Krishna Dhungel, a Maoist lawmaker elected from Okhaldhunga Constituency No. 2. The Court had convicted Dhungel of murdering Ujjwan Kumar Shrestha on June 24, 1998, when the Maoist insurgency was going on. On September 5, the apex court issued the full text of its Jan. 3 judgment.

The Parliament could not elect a Prime Minister even in the seventh round of voting held in CA building, Naya Baneshwar. Although, the UCPN-M had hoped for a breakthrough with indirect assurance from some Madhesh-based leaders the final results did not turn out to be in its favour. CPN-UML stayed neutral as in the previous elections.

MJF breached the alliance with other three Madhesh based parties, but did not participate in the voting process. MJF-L lawmakers did not turn up at all for the voting. MJF-N, whose leaders had said earlier they would vote for Maoist candidate Prachanda, changed their mind at the last moment after they saw their votes alone would not be sufficient for the Maoist candidate to get a majority.

UCPN-M chairman Prachanda also failed to secure majority (301 votes) receiving 240 votes in his favour while 110 votes were cast against him. Some 159 lawmakers opted for 'no vote' section in the ballot paper. Altogether 521 lawmakers participated during the voting.

The Constituent Assembly Speaker Subash Chandra Nemwang announced that the next election would take place on September 26 as per the recommendation of the Business Advisory Committee.

Some dozen Members of Parliament from MJF-L, who had warned of crossing the floor to vote for Maoist candidate Prachanda, were 'locked up' at the parliamentary party office in Singha Durbar (Parliament) when the election for the post of PM was going on at the CA building in Naya Baneshwar, Kathmandu.

The Government wrote to the UNSC asking for a four-month extension of the tenure of UNMIN. The letter filed at the UNSC through Nepal's permanent representative to the UN, Gyan Chandra Acharya, does not mention anything about changing UNMIN's mandate.

September 8

A bandh called by the Federal Limbuwan State Council to pressurise the parties to elect the new Prime Minister at the earliest has hit normal life in several eastern Districts. Due to the bandh call, transportation services, educational institutions and marketplaces remain largely closed in eastern Districts of Jhapa, Ilam, Panchthar, Taplehung, Tehrathum,Sunsari, Morang, Dhankuta and Sankhusabha.The council also demanded that major political parties act seriously to control prices of goods, bribery, forced donation and increased cases of violence in the region, among others.

Representative of Secretary General of UN Karin Landgren briefed the Security Council on the work of the mission and the progress of peace process in Nepal. She appealed to all parties to urgently tackle the existing climate of mistrust and the problems in forming a Government, stressing that the stalled peace process must be brought back on track as soon as possible.

UCPN-M said it is all set to dispatch a letter to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon requesting him to continue UNMIN's monitoring of the Nepal Army. The letter will conflict with the one sent by the Government on September 7 that mentioned UNMIN should now focus on monitoring the Maoist combatants and their weapons until the Special Committee takes over the responsibility.

The UCPN-M vice-chairman Baburam Bhattarai said that regressive forces have been hatching conspiracies taking advantage of the repeated failures in the election of the PM. Speaking at a programme in the capital, Kathmandu. Bhattarai also stated that the regressive forces have been spreading rumours of a cultural King. He added that they have been emboldened in spreading the rumours due to the failure to elect a new PM for the seventh consecutive time.

September 9

Caretaker Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal held joint discussion with ambassadors of three UN permanent member states (United States, United Kingdom and France) at his Baluwatar residence on the recent briefing of chief of the UNMIN, Karin Landgren, to the UN Security Council and the recent report of the UN Secretary General on Nepal's peace process. PM Nepal also reiterated that continued monitoring had caused difficulty in the organisational works of the National Army and that it does not need UNMIN monitoring. He also sought help from the UN permanent member States in this regard.

The UCPN-M expressed dissatisfaction over contents of the letter sent by the Government to the UNSC for extension of term of the UNMIN. It has accused the Government of not paying heed to its suggestions and deciding unilaterally. UCPN-M had demanded for six month extension of the mission with the present mandate. It objected to the proposal of other political parties to free NA from UNMIN monitoring.

September 10

YCL announced phase-wise protest programme demanding action against those who attacked its secretarial member Gopal Shrestha. The YCL submitted a memorandum to Chief District Officer Basanta Raj Gautam and declared to call Chitwan general shut down from September 16, including a motorcycle rally, graffiti painting, and torch rally.

Two separate letters from the Nepali side, amid the controversy on the extension of the UNMIN, pushed the UNSC into a state of ?confusion?. Given the differences between the Government and the Maoists, it is not possible for the Security Council to take a decision, which would irk one of the two parties, UN sources said. The member states of the world body entrusted with the responsibility to decide on the future of UNMIN have expressed their concern during meetings with Nepali officials in Kathmandu and have asked for a clearly-worded official position. UNMIN?s tenure ends on September 15.

The UCPN-M reiterated its stand that it won't allow the caretaker Government to table any new bill in the Legislature-Parliament.

The chairman of the UCPN-M Prachanda said that his party would immediately back out from the ongoing Priministerial race if CPN-UML and NC decide to change their decisions.

September 12

After failing to secure a clear majority in the seven rounds of Prime Ministerial elections, the UCPN-M decided to resort to agitation. The Central Committee meeting of the party held in the Kathmandu decided to hold mass assemblies in different Districts across the nation. Emerging after the CC meet, Maoist Spokesperson Dina Nath Sharma said, "The meeting today has decided to launch a peaceful agitation in order to ensure the peace and the statue drafting process and the national independence." The meeting has decided to take the reports presented by UCPN-M Chairman Prachanda and Vice Chairmen Baburam Bhattarai and Mohan Baidya for a District-level study, Sharma added.

The CC meeting of the UCPN-M concluded that party should pull out from the ongoing PM election process in the House as it has failed to yield results. But party insiders aren?t convinced that the conclusion will come to fruition. Party officials say that a final decision will be taken by the Standing Committee meeting after holding serious and ?decisive discussion? with other parties.

The UCPN-M Vice Chairmen duo Babu Ram Bhattarai and Mohan Baidya clarified that they do not wish a change in the party?s leadership, but they want to make the leadership more effective and action-oriented. Answering questions of the CC members on their political documents, both argued that Party Chairman Prachanda should improve his working style and implement the decisions taken by the party. Their clarification comes after accusations from some CC members close to Prachanda that the duo was intent on replacing Dahal by weakening him.

UCPN-M decided to wage fresh stir against what it called "growing foreign interference" in Nepal's internal affairs. A meeting of the party's powerful CC meeting decided to organise various protest programmes from September 17 onwards for a period of one month against the interference, citing that it has seriously undermined the sovereignty and national integrity of the country.

After the House failed to elect PM for the seventh time, the faction led by caretaker PM Madhav Kumar Nepal and CPN-UML leader K.P. Oli renewed its effort to pile pressure on party Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal and Madhesh based-parties to vote for NC candidate Ram Chandra Poudel in the eighth round. The faction wants to pick the new PM continuing the existing ?democratic alliance", stating that a Maoist-led government is not reasonable for now.

In a sign of breakthrough over the future of UNMIN, the Government and the UCPN-M reached an agreement in principle to extend UNMIN?s term without any changes in its current mandate. A meeting between the Government and the Maoist held at Maoist Parliamentary Party office in Singhdurbar (Parliament) reached an agreement to continue UNMIN with current mandate?monitoring of the Maoist combatants and Nepal Army, Maoist leader Janardan Sharma said.

September 13

ANNISU-R, student wing of the UCPN-M vandalised various departments of the Sunsari Technical College to protest the administration?s refusal to provide them donation. A team of six led by central member Madan Chudal and Sunsari secretary C.P Bajgain had vandalised the college demanding NR 1.2 million as donation.

The UCPN-M vice chairman Mohan Baidya revealed that his party has begun preparation to capture State power through people's revolt. He said that the party has been left with no option but to wage the revolt as efforts are on to bar the Maoists from going into power. Speaking at an interaction programme held at the Reporters' Club in Kathmandu, he said the Maoists are victims of conspiracy to bar them from forming a legitimate Government.

At the meantime, the Caretaker PM Madhav Kumar Nepal accused the UCPN-M of trying to revolt without any logical reasons. "They are applying all means to seize power and pressurise the nation through unnecessary declaration of protests and revolts," PM Nepal told media persons in Janakpur. Claiming that his party CPN-UML has been parleying to make consensus among the parties to form new Government at the earliest, PM Nepal expressed hope that the nation would get a new PM on September 26. "We can still hope to get prime minister in the next PM run-off in the parliament," PM added.

Madhav Kumar Nepal put forward three conditions before party chairman Jhala Nath Khanal to help him become the PM. The conditions Nepal has proposed are, to take action against vice chairman Bamdev Gautam by suspending from the position, to make him (Nepal) the acting chairman and to make party leader KP Oli a CA member. If the conditions are accepted, Nepal has assured he will convince NC candidate Ram Chandra Paudel to withdraw candidacy and proposed Khanal to convince UCPN-M candidate to withdraw candidacy.

President Ram Baran Yadav consulted senior legal experts on various issues related to the present political deadlock. President Yadav sought legal experts? opinion on constitutional ways and his role on resolving deadlocks in Government formation, presenting full-fledged budget and concluding the process, said attorney Tikaram Bhattarai, one of the experts the President consulted. The lawyers advised the President that the Speaker can use his special power to end the deadlock of prime ministerial election by suspending the related clause in the parliamentary regulations.

With nearly two weeks remaining for the eighth round of PM election, Vice-Chairman of Sadbhawana Party (SP) Laxman Lal Karna, said Samyukta Loktantrik Madheshi Morcha (SLMM) might vote for the NC. However, he said there are certain issues that the NC must clarify first.

With the four-point deal between the Government and the Maoists to conclude the peace process within the next four months, the looming threat to the peace process has been averted. The agreement was signed by PM Madhav Kumar Nepal and Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda at a meeting held in Baluwatar two days ahead of the expiry of the UNMIN term.

September 14

Members of the ANNISU-R, the student wing of the UCPN-M, padlocked the offices of Sanothimi College Campus Chief in Bhaktapur District. Alleging that the college administration turned deaf ear to their demands, the members of the ANNISU-R locked up the offices of Campus Chief Jagat Krishna Pokharel and Day Chief Rudra Dwaj Khadka.

The UCPN-M chairman and PM hopeful Prachanda hinted that his party may opt out of the ongoing election for the PM. "We want to end the election process which has not produced any result," Dahal said while addressing a book release function in the capital, Kathmandu. He also admitted intra-party conflict. "Our party, too, has weaknesses," he said, "We will move ahead in a new way my correcting the weaknesses."

The CPN-UML chairman Jhala Nath Khanal said that UCPN-M chairman Prachanda and NC vice president Ram Chandra Poudel, who are in the race for the PM, will be voted out in the upcoming 8th round of PM election on September 26. Speaking at a programme in Kathmandu, Khanal said there is no possibility of a Government led by both of the PM candidates so they should withdraw their candidacies and "allow others to take leadership".

The lawmakers have demanded formation of a judicial commission to investigate the tape scandal, which implicated UCPN-M Foreign Affairs Department Chief Krishna Bahadur Mahara and a 'Chinese official' allegedly negotiating cash assistance to the Maoists to buy lawmakers for the prime ministerial poll, reports Kantipuronline. The alleged tape came to light on Sept 5.

The Deputy PM Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar said that Madheshi parties should get an opportunity to lead a Government as the three major parties have failed to give a political way out. He said the country has been pushed towards the danger of being a failed state as constitution-writing and peace process have been shadowed by minor issues. The UCPN-M has the main responsibility to institutionalise the democracy, he said, adding that Maoist party Prachanda should support other parties to fulfil the aspirations of ?People?s War?.

September 15

A District level leader of the UCPN-M was found dead in a jungle at Bhalubajor VDC-6 of Ramechhap District. The deceased was identified as Ram Hari Kadel aka Prahar, area in-charge of Ramechhap-8.

The six-party Special Committee overseeing the Maoist combatants would push for integration and rehabilitation of the combatants based on the four-point agreement signed by the Government and the UCPN-M on September 13. Towards that end, the cantonments will first be brought under the Government control through a secretariat instituted by the Special Committee. The Maoist party plans to propose Chief of the PLA Nanda Kishore Pun as the coordinator of the Special Committee Secretariat, the mechanism that would bring the Maoist combatants under the Government.

Caretaker PM and senior CPN-UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal made it clear that his party will not at all vote for the Maoist candidate in the next PM election. "UML and most other parties are not in favour of a Maoist-led government. The Maoists must detach themselves from the arms and armies to lead the government," Nepal said while speaking to reporters.

The UCPN-M chairman Prachanda expressed hope that the political deadlock would not continue for long. The Maoist chairman, however, said that the party will emerge victorious in its fight against regressive forces.

The tenure of the UNMIN, which is in Nepal to monitor the peace process, is being extended for the seventh time on September 15. A meeting of UNSC to convene at the UN headquarters in New York on September 16 will formally extend UNMIN's term by four months.

September 16

Chairman of the UCPN-M Prachanda warned of a national struggle if the party was not given a chance to lead the Government through the constitutional ways. Speaking at an interaction in Kathmandu he claimed that the national struggle will be different from the ?People's War? and it will be waged under the leadership of all Nepalese. He said the national struggle will be waged openly as the ?People's War? was waged by publicly declaring from the Open Theatre and from the rostrum of the Parliament.

The Special Committee on Supervision, Integration and Rehabilitation endorsed a new directive, ending UCPN-M command and control over the ex-People?s PLA combatants living in several UN-monitored cantonments across the country.

A Special Committee meeting chaired by Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal approved the Directive on Supervision, Control, Command Procedures and Code of ethics of the Maoist PLA combatants. "Now, Maoist combatants have come under the Government?s control," said NC representative at the Special Committee Ram Sharan Mahat. "With this, the concept of two armies ceases to exist, and the combatants will come under the command and control of the committee the day its secretariat begins to carry out its tasks."

UCPN-M representative at the committee Barsha Man Pun termed the day?s development ?a step forward in the direction of completing the peace processes. "It is a significant step for integration and rehabilitations of the Maoist combatants," said Pun, a former PLA commander.

Prachanda said that the Indian intervention in Nepal's affairs has posed a serious threat to nationality. He said the result of the ongoing PM election has shown that the parliamentary process is being operated with a 'remote control'. Stating that foreign interventions in the issue of nationality have crossed the limit, he warned that a "national battle" is impending. Prachanda said that 30 million peopleprobably country's entire population will line up to jump into the fray. "There is no doubt that Nepali people will triumph the national battle," said Prachanda.

September 17

The UCPN-M Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda decided to pull out of the PM elections, in a bid to explore new ways to end the prolonged political deadlock. The Maoist Chairman agreed to withdraw his candidacy for the PM?s post in a three-point agreement signed with CPN-UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal. During the meeting held at Gairidhara in Kathmandu, the parties have reached an agreement to initiate the PM selection process on national consensus basis.

Prachanda said it would be fatal to isolate and exclude his party from the political process. Addressing the NC 12th National General Convention underway in Kathmandu, Prachanda countered statements by leaders of other parties that late Girija Prasad Koirala had brought UCPN-M into the political mainstream. "Koirala did not bring me, but together we got into the peace process," Prachanda said drawing brief jeers from NC workers and sympathisers assembled at Khula Manch in Kathmandu. "Girija Prasad Koirala did not bring me in the mainstream politics. The peace process started with his and my joint effort," he claimed.

The Chairman of the Subas Chandra Nembang said there is absolutely no alternative to consensus among political parties to diffuse the existing imbroglio the country has been stewing in.

September 19

A group of unidentified assailants shot dead Rajaram Yadav (40), chairman of Aurahi Village Committee of the TMLP in Mahottari. Yadav was previously a cadre of UCPN-M. Meanwhile, one person who identified himself as Basanta and claimed to be a cadre of the Terai Mukti Morcha called up local journalists and took responsibility of the murder.

UCPN-M leaders said they will form a majority Government with support of the CPN-UML as per a three-point agreement between the two parties on September 17 if the efforts to form a consensus Government fail. Maoist leaders claimed CPN-UML had pledged support for them for a majority government if required at a meeting with six fringe parties which supported them during the prime ministerial election at Maoist parliamentary party office, Singha Durbar. "We will form a majority Government with support of UML and continue our efforts to secure a two-thirds majority," Sunil Prajapati, leader of Nepal Workers and Peasants Party (NWPP), quoted Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

September 20

The SJMM set ablaze the Panchakanya and Bishnupaduka VDC buildings and a health post in Sunsari District. SJMM Sunsari in-charge Abiral said the buildings were set ablaze to highlight the SJMM?s demand that the State needs to be restructured taking ethnic populations into consideration. "We will not grant recognition to any government offices and officials until our demands are addressed," he added. The activities of the agitating Kirat Janabadi Workers Party had dropped drastically after its cadres were detained three months ago. However, its activities have picked up pace after it united with the SJMM.

A day after UCPN-M leaders? claim that they could form coalition Government with CPN-UML if an environment for consensus Government is not created CPN-UML officially refuted such claim.

NC vice president and the party's prime ministerial candidate Ram Chandra Poudel made it clear that he would not back out from the ongoing PM race in the parliament until an alternative to elect a new PM is decided by the major three parties.

UCPN-M proposed the name Nanda Kishor Pun, Commander of the PLA, as the head of the Technical Committee, under Army Integration Special Committee (AISC), that will also function as a Secretariat to manage combatants in the cantonments. Maoists demanded leadership in the Secretariat to be formed after AISC decided last week to convert the incumbent Technical Committee to the Secretariat heading the PLA chain of command by adding one representative each from PLA, Nepal Army (NA), Nepal Police (NP) and Armed Police Force (APF).

As per the AISC decision, NA has proposed Brigadier General Mahesh Bikram Karki, NP has proposed DIG Keshar Bahadur Shahi and APF has proposed DIG Singha Bahadur Shrestha as the member of the Secretariat. At present the Technical Committee has PLA deputy commander Chandra Prakash Khanal and YCL in charge Kul Bahadur KC from the UCPN-M, retired Lieutenant General Balananda Sharma and former envoy Shambhuram Simkhada from Nepali Congress, Deepak Bhatta and former Brig. Gen Gopal Singh Bohara from CPN-UML and retired SSP Sananda Prasad Kurmi and former administrator Ramananda Mishra from MJF. The next meeting of the AISC is expected to expand the Technical Committee. The Technical Committee itself will select its leader

Meanwhile, incumbent acting president of Nepali Congress party, Sushil Koirala, was elected the party president for a term of four years by the party's 12^th General Convention held in Kathmandu from September 17 to 21.

September 23

The UCPN-M suspended CC member and ?commander? of the 5^th Division of the PLA, Kali Bahadur Kham alias Bibidh, on in view of the accusations of the murder of Ram Hari Shrestha of Koteshwor and the looting of Chinese traders a couple of months ago. Likewise, CC member Ram Prasad Banjade was suspended for financial irregularities. According to Maoist spokesperson Dina Nath Sharma, Kham has been suspended "for some time" for investigation on the accusations against him.

The UCPN-M started imparting "political training" to its combatants in the UN-monitored camps across the country. Meanwhile, the NC and the CPN-UML took serious exception to the training. They said it directly breached the directives endorsed by the Special Committee on September 16 on the supervision, command and control, and code of conduct to be enforced on the combatants.

The UCPN-M and the CPN-UML decided to write a joint letter to the CA chairman to end the ongoing election for the post of PM, concluding that the current process can yield no result. In a meeting held at Maoist parliamentary party office in Singha Durbar, top leaders of the UCPN-M and the CPN-UML reached a four-point agreement and decided to step up efforts to forge consensus with all the CA parties on ending the current process to elect a new Prime Minister.

September 24

CPN-UML General Secretary Ishwor Pokhrel said that his party won?t form the Government by forging alliance with the UCPN-M. Saying that the eighth round of election for the PM?s post would be fruitless, the CPN-UML leader underlined that the NC should support his party?s concept to form a national consensus Government.

Expressing dissatisfaction over the outfit leadership, some 100 cadres of the Madhesi Mukti Tigers (MMT), including District in-charge of Sunsari, deserted the outfit. Speaking at a press conference, at Sunsari District headquarters Inaruwa, Sunsari in-charge Gyanendra Pandit accused the party leadership of lacking morality. MMT is an armed outfit active in the Terai region.

September 26

UCPN-M chairman Prachanda officially withdrew from the race to the post of PM leaving NC candidate Ram Chandra Paudel alone in the fray. However, the impasse' of the repeated prime ministerial elections did not ended as the parliamentary regulations require a prime ministerial candidate to acquire majority votes from the MP to be elected. The Legislature Parliament has voted against the motion to elect Paudel to the post of Prime Minister for the eighth time at the elections held in CA hall, Naya Baneshwar. The next election date has been slated for September 30.

NC leaders said their party is ready to withdraw candidacy for the post of PM if the UCPN-M parts with arms and armies and renounces violence.

The CPN-UML decided to table its proposal for amendment of parliamentary regulation to elect new PM in the legislature parliament.

UCPN-M vice chairman Mohan Baidya said that his party is even ready to be a part of a CPN-UML or NC led Government if it helps towards forging a national consensus.

September 27

UCPN-M chairman Prachanda called on Prime Minister (PM) Madhav Kumar Nepal at the latter's official residence in Baluwatar and asked PM Nepal to call on NC leaders to pull out of the Prime Ministerial election.

PM Nepal has called a meeting of ten political parties in the ruling coalition to find a solution to the current political problem created by the ongoing prime ministerial debacle.

September 28

There are sharp disagreements between the UCPN-M and the NC on how to end the current stalemate on Government formation, reports. The NC argues that the parties should agree to a ?package deal? on the fundamental issues of the new constitution, critical issues of the peace process and power sharing arrangements before its candidate for the Prime Minister?s (PM) post, Ram Chandra Poudel, withdraws his candidacy. The Maoist party, meanwhile, continues to stand by its previous position that the withdrawal should precede any deal. Speaker Subash Nembang convened a meeting of the Maoists, NC, CPN-UML and Madhesh-based parties on September 28 to break the deadlock, but in vain.

September 29

11 political parties asked the National Congress to back out of the ongoing PM race so that new process for formation of a consensus Government could start.

Radha Krishna Mainali, who was appointed Minister for Education in the then king Gyanendra's short-lived royal Government, joined the UCPN-M party.

September 30

The ninth round of elections for the Prime Minister?s post ended inconclusively as the sole candidate for the PM post and NC Parliamentary party leader, Ram Chandra Poudel failed to secure a simple majority.

The NC, along with other constituents of the outgoing coalition minus the CPN-UML, decided to put forth a proposal to defer the PM elections at the Parliament for at least a month.

October 2

The Police arrested seven alleged abductors including a UCPN-M cadre, from Suryabinayak in Bhaktapur District while they were taking an abductee in a cab to an undisclosed location.

The UCPN-M Secretary C.P. Gajurel said that there is no alternative to a peaceful protest in order to end the political deadlock. Gajurel informed that the extended plenum to be held in Gorkha District next month will finalise the structure of the protest and future strategies to be adopted by the party.

The UCPN-M agreed to provide updated information with details including full name, age, permanent address and picture of its former combatants staying at various cantonments across the country.

October 3

The cadres of UCPN-M carried out shut down of market areas, academic institutions and halted transportation in Sindhuli District with demands of the release of its Sindhuli District in-charge Rajan Dahal.

The UCPN-M Lamjung office secretary Devendra Poudel has gone missing since September 30. Devendra's family said he has been missing ever since had left home on September 30 for Dumre of Tanahun District.

UCPN-M vice chairman Baburam Bhattarai renewed his call to NC leader Ram Chandra Poudel to withdraw his candidacy to the post of PM.

Anthony Shing aka Ningkhan Shimray (49), head of the NSCN-IM foreign affairs, went missing in Nepal since September 27, when he landed in Tribhuvan Airport in Kathmandu after flying from Bangkok by the Royal Nepal Airlines.

October 5

The NC invited UCPN-M and CPN-UM for discussing its recently unveiled four-point consensus proposal for ending the Prime Ministerial election fiasco. According to a NC source, a tripartite meeting to discuss the consensus proposal is due to take place at NC?s parliamentary party office at Parliament.

UCPN-M said its serious attention has been drawn to "abduction styled" arrest of one of its cadre by Police in Sindhuli District. Issuing a press release, Maoist spokesperson Dina Nath Sharma said that its party cadre Rajan Dahal was arrested on fake charges "in a manner reminiscent of the Panchayati days".

The UCPN-M suspended its lawmaker Narendra Kunwar of Baitadi, who physically assaulted the party's local leaders during a meeting. Kunwar attacked the party's local leaders during a dispute over the collection of donations and injured three of them. He attacked one of the victims with a knife hospitalising him.

October 6

NC Parliamentary Party leader Ram Chandra Poudel said that there were chances that the 10th round of Prime Ministerial poll slated for may be cancelled.

UCPN-M vice-chairman Baburam Bhattarai claimed his party would never split and urged the public not to believe the rumour. UCPN-M will launch struggle from the streets if the Parliament fails to give a way out of the current political stalemate, said Baburam Bhattarai at a gathering in Kathmandu.

Security Forces raided an YCL camp in Swoyambhu area in Kathmandu and arrested two YCL cadres on charge of abducting Chandra Bahadur Thing (30), a bus driver, and inflicting corporal torture on him and rescued him who was kept there after his abduction.

NC parliamentary party leader Ram Chandra Poudel was rejected for the post of Prime Minister by the Legislature Parliament for tenth time at the election held at Constituent Assembly Hall, Naya Baneshwor. Poudel secured 109 votes in his favour and one vote against him. 46 lawmakers opted for 'no vote' section in the ballot paper. Altogether 156 lawmakers participated in the voting process.

CPN-UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal urged the NC to withdraw its candidacy from the PM elections and resume the process of national consensus. Speaking at a tea reception program organised by Manmohan Smriti Pratisthan in Kathmandu, Khanal requested the NC to end the lost battle.

Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Rakesh Sood, who arrived in Kathmandu, was opposed by UCPN-M cadres. The envoy along with some Indian officials reached to lay the foundation stone of an India-funded drinking water project at Khumjung.

PM Madhav Kumar Nepal expressed hope that the UN would continue to support the integration and rehabilitation of former Maoist combatants even after the departure of the UNMIN. "We will take care of the integration part of former Maoist combatants. However, we expect UN?s continued assistance for their rehabilitation," PM Nepal told UN Under Secretary General and Chief of Political Affairs B Lynne Pascoe, who is in Nepal on a two-day visit.

October 7

The UN Under Secretary General for Political Affairs B. Lynn Pascoe said that ending the impunity and progress on democratisation of the Nepal Army are crucial for the continuation of NA engagement in the UN peacekeeping. The chief of Department of Political Affairs at the UN Headquarters in Kathmandu made this remark during a meeting with Defence Minister Bidhya Bhandari.

Chairman of the CPN-UML Jhalanath Khanal remarked that the current Constituent Assembly should be dissolved to take the country ahead with a fresh mandate of the people.

Madhesh-based parties warned the Election Commission not to continue the programme in Terai Districts. In a joint press conference of Madhesh-based parties held at Janakpur District, the Madhesh-based parties said they would launch an agitation if the Commission did not stop its project.

UCPN-M politburo member and lawmaker Gopal Kiranti claimed that the Indian Ambassador to Nepal Rakesh Sood threatened to expel five million Nepali people living in India. Lawmaker Kiranti said that he was threatened by the Indian Ambassador while talking about the national independence.

October 8

Cadres of the Lumbuwan Autonomous State snatched a scanner and a camera used by the Election Commission team in Jhapa District thereby obstructing information collection for digital voter's identity cards in Damak-15. LAS cadres have been asking the EC to stop the campaign saying that those digital ID cards would be useless as the nation will soon be divided into federal states.

Chairman of MJF Upendra Yadav said the Maoists' insistence not to relinquish weapons remains the main hindrance for the successful conclusion of the peace process. Speaking at a press meet organised in Birgunj of Parsa District , he said the fact that the Maoists can't and won't give up their weapons is clear from the idea and ideology the party follows and the on and off remarks made by its top leaders.

October 9

UCPN-M Chairman Prachanda said that the progresses achieved by the general public so far have been put in danger. He claimed that federalism, republic, and the secular system achieved in the nation have been endangered at present. Speaking at a programme organised in Kathmandu, Prachanda said that both internal and external regressive forces are on their final stages of plotting in order to obliterate the developments accomplished so far.

October 10

The 12th round of the Prime Ministerial elections ended with out any result as the sole candidate from the NC, Ram Chandra Poudel, failed to secure the magic number (301). Subsequently, talking to the media persons after facing the 12th defeat in the Legislature-Parliament, Poudel said the UCPN-Maoist and the CPN-UML refuted the NC?s proposal to conduct further elections only after the Dashain festival.

MJF-L Chairman and Deputy Prime Minister of care taker Government Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar in Kathmandu remarked that the country won?t see a new PM even after eight months if the major parties continue to repeat the rhetorical consensus. He underscored the need to accept the majority system to pick a new PM.

October 11

The Vice-Chairman of UCPN-M Baburam Bhattarai said that the country will find no way out of the current political crisis until and unless a national unity Government under the leadership of his party is formed. Speaking at a party programme in Banepa, Kavre, and Bhattarai said that a logical end to the ongoing peace process is impossible by sidelining the Maoists, the biggest party in the Constituent Assembly. He added that "the country could reorient towards confrontation after the UNMIN leaves as efforts are being made to dissolve the PLA when there should have been genuine bid to integrate the ex-fighters".

PLA of UCPN-M took exception to the Indian Government?s claim, alleging that PLA of Nepal was imparting training to Indian Maoists. The PLA has remarked that the news report is baseless, premeditated and speculative.

October 12

UCPN-M chairman Prachanda said that the recent Indian media report that Nepali Maoists were imparting training to Indian Maoists is a "conspiracy and design of foreign forces." Speaking at a programme in Kathmandu, Prachanda said the report is a challenge to national independence and an attempt to lead the country towards confrontation.

The NC General Secretary Prakash Man Singh said that the NC would not withdraw its candidacy for the post of the Prime Minister unless an agreement was reached in the form of a package to conclude the peace process.

October 13

The UCPN-M chairman Prachanda was appointed coordinator of a seven-member taskforce formed to iron out differences on the contentious issues that remains in constitution drafting. A meeting held at the office of CA chairman Subash Nemwang in Parliament gave this responsibility to Prachanda.

The UCPN-M chairman Prachanda called on Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal at the latter's official residence in Baluwatar in Kathmandu. The latest political situation of the country was chiefly discussed during the meeting that went on for more than one hour. According to a statement issued by PM?s press advisor, PM Nepal stressed on the need to do away with the existing differences between the political parties in order to forge a national consensus.

October 14

The Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs of the UN, B. Lynn Pascoe urged that swift action to overcome Nepal?s political impasse is required if the Asian nation is to meet the January 2011 deadline to wrap up its stalled peace process. Despite some important steps having been taken, "no breakthrough has been achieved," he said. "It is too early to conclude that the parties are on a course" that would see the Four-Point Agreement implemented by the January 2011 deadline, read the statement.

October 15

The Nepal Workers and Peasants Party Chairman Narayan Man Bijukchhe said that the president should take the executive power by himself as the political parties have failed to resolve the political crisis. He opined the imposition of Presidential rule would be the best alternative to discourage all forms of impasse and find a way out.

October 18

UCPN-M Standing Committee member Dev Gurung said that the caretaker Government does not have the right to bring in the full budget under any circumstances, warning that if it does so then that will be construed as a violation of the CPA.

CA Chairman Subas Nemwang said amendment to the constitution and the CA Regulations might be necessary to elect the new Prime Minister as the current election process has not produced results despite a dozen rounds of voting in the legislature Parliament.

October 19

Leaders of the three major parties ?UCPN-M, NC and CPN-UML met President Ram Baran Yadav at Shitwal Niwas in Kathmandu to discuss the current political stalemate and its possible solution.

UCPN-M reiterated that it won't allow the caretaker Government to present the full-fledged budget in the legislature-parliament. A meeting of the Maoist office-bearers held at party chairman Prachanda Nayabazaar residence concluded that the caretaker Government "does not have authority to introduce the budget".

President Ram Baran Yadav urged political parties to focus on building consensus to ensure success for the peace process, constitution writing, and Government formation and for bringing the budget for the current fiscal year. In a meeting with Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and top leaders of the three major parties at his official residence, President Yadav called for consensus on the major issues.

A Dhading District leader of the CPN-UML identified as Shiva Thapa Magar (40) was found dead nearby a forest three days after his abduction by YCL. However, the UCPN-M Dhading District committee said the party has no hand in the murder of Thapa.

October 20

UNSC urged Nepal to expedite the peace process by formulating clear work plan with timelines to complete the remaining tasks of the peace process before the UNMIN wraps up in January, 2011.

October 21

Chief of the UNMIN Karin Landgren met UCPN-M chairman Prachanda and expressed worry over the lack of progress in the peace process.. During the meeting Landgren said that the protracted political deadlock has obstructed the peace process, and underlined the need for early political consensus between the parties and start of works on the integration and rehabilitation of the Maoist combatants.

October 22

Minister for Federal Affairs, Culture and Parliamentary Affairs Minendra Rijal said that a UCPN-M led Government will be completely unacceptable to his party NC until the time the peace process reaches a logical conclusion.

India?s MEA summoned Nepal?s Ambassador to India Rukma Shamsher Rana to ask him to explain the Solukhumbu incident on October 6 when some UCPN-M cadres misbehaved with Indian Ambassador to Nepal Rakesh Sood. According to Government sources, on October 6, irate UCPN-M cadres greeted Sood with black flags, while one of them hurled a shoe at a team of visiting Indian Embassy officials.

October 24

UCPN-M vice chairman Mohan Baidya urged the NC and the CPN-UML to form a coalition Government saying that his party will stay in the opposition bench. "There are chances that the Maoists will stay in opposition," said the Maoist leader, at a programme in Kathmandu.

The Constituent Assembly Chairman Subash Chandra Nembang said that he will initiate discussions with the leaders of the political parties to stop meaningless elections to the Prime Minister and to resolve political crisis in the country.

An all-party meeting agreed upon extending the term of the high-level taskforce which was set up on October 11 to address the contentious issues related to the new constitution by 11 days.

October 25

Unspecified numbers of UCPN-M cadres were arrested on the charge of extorting foreign tourists. A Police squad of Dolakha District arrested Maoist cadres while the latter were forcibly collecting donation from foreign tourists in Lankuridanda of Dolakha District.

Defense Minister Bidya Devi Bhandari claimed that the constitution drafting process remains solely disrupted due to the Maoists. She said that the Maoist combatants languishing in the UN-monitored cantonments and their weapons are two things that have clearly delayed the constitution drafting process, adding that unless the important task of integration and rehabilitation of Maoist combatants and weapons is not completed, there can be no headway on the issue.

October 26

The 13th round of Prime Ministerial election took place at the Legislature Parliament. NC leader Ram Chandra Paudel was the sole candidate in the election.

UCPN-M Chairman Prachanda said that a trilateral discussion including China and India will only resolve political deadlock in the country. Prachanda said such a discussion will be taking place in the near future.

The UNMIN said that it is unaware about the recent China trip of Maoist PLA ?commanders?. The Government had dispatched a letter to UNMIN on October 25 seeking clarifications on the Maoist commanders? China visit. "The agreement related to arms and combatants has the provision for taking leave the Maoist commanders took leave as per the same provision. But we replied the Government that we were not informed about their China trip," said UNMIN spokesperson.

NC parliamentary party leader Ram Chandra Poudel failed to get elected as the Prime Minister in the 13th round of election conducted in the legislature parliament. Poudel secured 98 votes while two votes were polled against him. 44 lawmakers went for 'no vote' option in the ballot paper. Altogether 144 lawmakers participated in the voting. Meanwhile, the Business Advisory Council set the next round of PM elections for October 29 at 3pm (NST).

Chairman of TMLP, Mahanta Thakur, said the prevalent political deadlock ailing the country is the direct result of the attempt by UCPN-M to come to power without first completing the important task of integration and rehabilitation of their combatants.

October 27

The UCPN-M vice-chairman Baburam Bhattarai warned that confrontation would develop if his party was ignored and the budget for the current fiscal year was presented as it is. Bhattarai told journalists at the Pokhara airport that it would be of an anti-democratic character to bring budget without holding consensus with UCPN-M which is the biggest party in the Constituent Assembly.

The care-taker Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal said in Dang District that foreign forces have no influence in the nation. The foreign interference and lack of coordination among the political parties in the country are nothing but irresponsible rumors, he asserted.

October 28

The Caretaker Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal claimed that the UCPN-M are preparing for what they often call 'people's revolt?. The UCPN-M's reluctance to manage their combatants and the recent foreign trip of Maoist combatants are an indication of the Maoists trying to stage ''revolt'', he argued.

UCPN-M decided to postpone the party's extended plenum to November 21. Citing the upcoming Eid festival of Muslims, the party postponed the plenum meeting for the third time. Earlier, the date of the plenum was set for November 14. The venue - Gorkha District - for the plenum, however, remains unchanged.

October 29

The UCPN-M chairman Prachanda rejected an invitation for a Constitutional Council meeting to be held on October 31. The Office of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers (OPMCM) had sent a letter to inform Prachanda about the meeting. However, Prachanda refused to receive the letter saying the meeting was called without consulting him.

October 31

Police arrested three persons, including a UNMIN-verified UCPN-M cadre, for their alleged involvement in blasts in front of the Constituent Assembly building on May 22, 2010 and July 6, 2010 and extorting Dhading-based teachers and businessmen. A special taskforce of MPCD arrested them in Dhading District.

November 1

Three cadres of the Sanghiya Limbuwan Rajya Parishad (SLRP) were arrested by Police for seizing documents from EC officials deployed for issuing electronic voter identity cards in Dharan of Sunsari District. Parishad's District president Dambar Khujum, District secretary Bhim Idhing and Amit Thewe were arrested from Dharan.

The NC Parliamentary Party leader Ram Chandra Poudel, the sole candidate in the Prime Ministerial race, faced his fifteenth defeat. In the elections 96 lawmakers voted for the proposal to elect Poudel as the new Prime Minister and 2 voted against him, while 31 lawmakers stayed neutral. The 16th round of the prime ministerial elections has been slated for November 4.

CPN-Masal, a fringe communist party, is going to formally merge with the UCPN-M soon. A meeting of the leaders of both the parties decided to unite the two parties, citing ideological proximity. They, however, decided to take decisions on organisational matters in the next meeting.

November 2

Cadres of the CPN-UML abducted Tula Ram Chaulagain (48), a cadre of the UCPN-M of Namdu VDC -9 of Dolakha District. Arjun Prasad Chaulagain, son of the abducted and the secretary of the UCPN-M of Namdu VDC said a group of CPN-UML cadres led by Shikhanath Rimal kidnapped his father while Tula Ram was harvesting paddy.

It was revealed that the UCPN-M has been keeping its disqualified combatants in a separate ?camp? after their exit from UN-monitored cantonments. The former Maoist soldiers, who were tagged ineligible by the UNMIN, are living under the care of the mother party and its youth wing, YCL. The party has said the fighters are under it until they are rehabilitated.

November 5

The Indian ambassador to Nepal, Rakesh Sood in Kathmandu alerted Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala on the use of Nepali soil for organised training of Indian Maoist. The embassy's letter claimed that more than 200 Indian Maoists received 'organised' training in Dang, Makawanpur, Nawalparasi and some Terai District.

November 6

The two-day residential ?secret-talks? among the top leaders of the major three parties ?UCPN-M, CPN-UML and NC - ended without a concrete agreement for ending the current political impasse. Issuing a press statement after the talks the political parties said, they talked on six difference issues including new Government, constitution writing and army integration and took four decisions. However, none of the decisions taken address the political crisis the nation is going through.

Three cadres of the UCPN-M were assaulted and injured by locals in Nuwakot District.

Dal Bahadur Saud, a 'company commander' at the seventh division of the UCPN-M-affiliated PLA in Kailali District killed a civilian, identified as Dambar Saud. The Kailali District Police Office arrested Dal Bahadur and seven others in connection with the incident.

The chief of PLA, the military wing of the UCPN-M, Barsha Man Pun alias Ananta accused the Government and Nepal Army of manufacturing a report about Nepali Maoists imparting military training to Indian Naxalites [Left Wing Extremists].

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the care taker Governent Sujata Koirala expressed serious concerns about the media reports on Nepali Maoists imparting training to Indian Naxalites and said she would take up the issue in the next cabinet meeting.

UCPN-M Secretary Post Bahadur Bogati warned that if the new constitution is not declared from the Constituent Assembly then the people will declare the new constitution from the streets, and that his party will be the first to endorse it.

Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal asked Home Minister Bhim Rawal to investigate allegations about Nepali Maoists training their Indian peers. A meeting held at his residence decided that the issue would be forwarded to the next Cabinet meeting and discussed seriously, an unnamed close aide to the Prime Minister told.

CPN-UML leader K. P. Sharma Oli accused the UCPN-M of opting to make Nepal a "failed state". According to Oli, the Maoists are simply trying to endorse their decision forcefully without showing any degree of compromise and flexibility.

Top leaders of the major three political parties in the Constituent Assembly -UCPN-M, NC and the CPN-UML - are meeting again for what they have called the 'decisive talks' to sort out the contentious issues in peace process, constitution drafting and Government formation.

November 15

The Dhading District secretariat of the UCPN-M suspended its two cadres, Tek Bahadur Tamang and general member Rajendra BK charged with the murder of a CPN-UML leader in Dhading District on October 20, 2010 from party membership.

Nepal Army (NA) objected to the UCPN-M plan to include its cantoned combatants in the upcoming extending Central Committee (CC) meeting. In a letter to the UNMIN, NA wrote that, the participation of PLA in the meeting would be a breach of Comprehensive Peace Accord and would even impact the integration process.

November 16

Minister for Culture and Parliamentary Affairs Minendra Rijal appealed to the UCPN-M not to engage its PLA combatants in its extended plenum. Speaking at a programme organised by the Reporters? Club in Kathmandu, Rijal claimed that initiating the participation of the PLA in the Maoist?s plenum will invite further conflict.

November 17

Inspector General of Armed Police Force (APF), Sanat Basnet that the Indian claim that the UCPN-M was imparting guerrilla training to the Naxalites in India couldn?t be proven. He further said that investigation carried out by all the four Security Agencies of the Country - Nepal Police, NA, APF and National Investigation Department - did not find any evidence to corroborate the Indian claim.

UCPN-M Vice Chairman Baburam Bhattarai said that his party is not in favour of infuriating the Security Agencies while seeking a "dignified solution" to its combatants.

The MJF chairman Upendra Yadav said that the UCPN-M should stop talking about army integration if it involves cantoned combatants in the party's upcoming central plenum.

November 18

The UNMIN Chief Karin Landgren urged the UCPN-M not to let the PLA attend the party?s plenum to be held on November 21 and warned its participation in political activity would violate peace accords signed by the parties.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the care taker Government Sujata Koirala warned that the Government will be compelled to take action against the PLA combatants if they participate in the upcoming central plenum of their party UCPN-M .

UCPN-M vice Chairman Mohan Baidhya rejected Chairman Prachanda?s proposal to merge their two documents into one to be presented at the party?s upcoming sixth extended meeting scheduled to begin from November 21.

November 19

Police arrested Janakpur of Dhanusha District town in-charge of the UCPN-M Pramod Karna and his brother in-law Ratish Kumar Karna on charge of killing one Mukesh Datta. The Superintendent of Police Dinesh Amatya claimed the duo was involved in the murder of Datta on November 10.

Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal clarified that the caretaker Government is yet to find any clues regarding the alleged training to Indian Maoists by the UCPN-M, as has been claimed by Indian embassy in Kathmandu. However, he maintained that the Government has taken the issue seriously.

UCPN-M said that it will discuss with the UNMIN on the participation of the cantoned combatants in its upcoming extended central committee meeting on November 21.

November 22

The closed session of the UCPN-M?s plenum started at Palungtar in Gorkha District. According to sources, the Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal Aka Prachanda, and Vice-Chairmen Baburam Bhattarai and Mohan Baidhya?will present their separate proposals in the session.

November 23

The chairman of the UCPN-M Prachanda said that he had not deviated from "the revolutionary path," or the Party. The media sources also claim that the position of Prachanda seemed to impress the faction led by Vice Chairman Mohan Baidhya. The rival faction led by Baburam Bhattarai, however, found little to cheer about the party chief?s position.

The cadres of the UCPN-M assaulted three NC and CPN-UML activists at Bijayashwori-9 in Rukum District. The dispute arose between the UCPN-M cadres and NC and CPN-UML activists over the appointment of a teacher at a local school and the management of Amal Takura Youth Club.

November 24

According to the Chairman of MJF Upendra Yadav accused UCPN-M of breaching the CPA by involving their former combatants in the party's ongoing 6^th extended meeting being held in Palungtar of Gorkha District. Talking to media-persons in Janakpurdham he said that the AISC should take the matter seriously as the former Maoist combatants have now been brought under it.

A UNSC delegation from the Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict visited the Chulachuli of Ilam District-based first division cantonment of PLA combatants. The visit was aimed at checking whether the Maoists have adhered to the work plan signed in December 2009 to stop recruiting, to detach the already recruited underage combatants from the PLA and to rehabilitate them in society.

November 26

The coordinator of Madheshi Mukti Tigers? (MMT) talk?s team with the Government, Mangal Pande, warned that the outfit would raise arms again accusing the Government of not following the past agreements. He accused the Government of arresting and murdering his cadres despite the fact that his party has entered into peaceful politics and become public. "If this trend does not stop soon, we will raise weapons," said Pande, adding, "Despite our entry into peaceful politics, the Government is trying to force us back to war."

The UCPN-M decided to continue its struggle against "foreign intervention" in the country. A Standing Committee meeting of the Maoists held at Palungtar in Gorkha, where the party?s sixth extended plenum is underway, took the decision to this effect.

November 28

Metropolitan Police Range personnel raided a YCL camp in the Tundaldevi area of Baluwatar in Kathmandu and arrested seven of YCL cadres. The Police had raided the camp after it received complaints from the public that YCL cadres had been 'abducting' people forcefully making them sign various documents related to monetary transactions.

November 30

The meeting of the UCPN-M Central Committee is to start from December 2. The meeting will debate and make necessary amendment in the 'common political document' presented by party chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda. He prepared the common paper by incorporating the views expressed by vice chairmen Mohan Baidhya and Baburam Bhattarai in their respective documents.

Former Army Chief Rookmangad Katawal claimed that the UCPN-M ideology has become obsolete and it cannot bear any fruit. Speaking at an interaction in Kathmandu, he criticised the former rebels for reneging on its words, and accused the latter of violating the CPA by allowing their combatants to participate in the recently held sixth extended meeting in Gorkha. "The Maoist fighters' participation at the party's political meeting is gross violation of the CPA," he said.

December 1

Normal life in the nine Districts in the Eastern-Nepal has been hit hard following a banda (general strike) called by FLSC demanding Limbuwan Autonomous State. The urban areas in Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Ilam, Dhankuta, Panchthar, Taplejung, Terathum and Sankhuwasabha remained affected due to the banda.

December 2

The cadres of the UCPN-M abducted an Assistant Health Worker, identified as Abdul Rahaman of Koshi zonal hospital of Biratnagar District. Abdul was said to have been taken control by UCPN-M cadres-Ashok Mandal and Saban Hussel-from Koshi zonal hospital premises and kept in YCL office for interrogation. According UCPN-M cadres Abdul Rahaman was a fake health worker and used to cheat the local people.

UCPN-M proposed before the Army Integration Special Committee (AISC) that half of the total former People's Liberation Army (PLA) combatants living in cantonments should be put up for integration. Maoist politburo member and PLA ?deputy commander? Janardhan Sharma informed that his party has proposed that half of the over 19,000 UN verified combatants should be sent for integration and the other half should be considered for rehabilitation.

December 3

A cadre belongs to the UCPN-M identified as Loknath Panth (42) was arrested by Delhi Police along with 498 non-electric detonators and over 27 metres of wires. According to Police, this was the first time that a Nepali Maoist was arrested from New Delhi along with explosives.

December 4

UN Under Secretary General for Political Affairs B. Lynn Pascoe urged to move ahead seriously on part of the political parties to make compromises and agreements to take the peace process to a logical conclusion

December 5

The YCL cadres attacked the members of the CPN-UML leaving two of its members injured during a CPN-UML meeting in Rukum District. The CPN-UML demanded that the Government take immediate action against YCL cadres and called upon the UCPN-M to apologize in public for the act.

US Government expressed its desire to help the PLA combatants kept in cantonments across the country. A team of US Government authorities, including Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Alyssa Ayres, US Ambassador to Nepal Scott H DeLisi, his two assistants and a representative of United Nations Development Program (UNDP) said so during an inspection visit to Third Division PLA cantonment in Shaktikhor, Chitwan.

December 9

The MJF-N announced indefinite Nawalparasi District bandh (general strike) from in protest of the misbehaviour meted out against its cadres. The MJF-N called indefinite bandh alleging Superintendent of Police Krishna Prasad Gautam of misbehaving with three cadres of the party on November 22.

December 10

Chairman of the UCPN-M Prachanda said that it is high time for all universities and colleges of the country to turn into "barracks" and students to become "militias" to fight conspiracies against change.

December 12

The Vice-Chairman of the UCPN-M Mohan Baidhya alias ?Kiran? said the party?s sixth extended meeting had mandated it to launch a ?people?s revolt?. Addressing an interaction on ?National Independence and People?s Republic?, Baidhya said the Palungtar meeting has also urged the party to fight for a people?s federal republic and national independence. He said a communist party must be ready to split or merge with others whenever necessary.

December 13

The UCPN-M declared Sindhupalchowk, Rasuwa and certain parts of Nuwakot Districts as Helmu autonomous region. UCPN-M leader Posta Bahadur Bogati made the announcement amid a function at Helambu in Sindhupalchowk. He added the region will be part of the party?s Tamsaling autonomous state.

The MJF led by Upendra Yadav is likely to split over differences on alliance with the UCPN-M. A group of MJF lawmakers had been expressing dissatisfaction with chairman Yadav against is extreme inclination towards the Maoists.

December 14

The Delhi Police revealed that the arrested militant of the UCPN-M, Loknath Panth (42), is a top level leader of the outfit. The Police also confirmed that he is wanted in cases of waging war against Nepal.

December 15

Challenging UCPN-M Chairman Prachanda?s "unfair" dominance over the party, the other two factions in the party? each led by Vice-Chairmen Mohan Baidya and Baburam Bhattarai ? demanded the party to reshuffle the PLA and other internal structures in line with the "changing equations" in the party manifested after the Palungtar plenum that was held on November 21, 2010.

Chief of the UNMIN Karin Landgren sent letters to Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and UCPN-M chairman Prachanda, asking them to clarify their positions over issues related to monitoring of arms and armies as UNMIN's arms monitors started preparations to withdraw from their duty stations.

December 17

Opposition parties led by the UCPN-M have registered a proposal demanding the commencement of a new process for electing the PM by the Parliament from its session starting from December 19. Backed by six fringe parties, Maoist Chief Whip Post Bahadur Bogati registered the proposal at the Parliament Secretariat.

December 19

The cadres of the CPN-M-Matrika smeared black on the face of Udayapur forest in-charge, Shanta Muni Tamrakar. The Maoist cadres in two groups smeared black on Tamrakar's face at his office today accusing him of smuggling wood and carrying out financial irregularities, informed the outfits District secretary, Sambhodhan.

A meeting of the MJF Parliamentary Party decided to join the NC and the CPN-UML in foiling the UCPN-M proposal to start a new process of Government formation in the special session of the House.

The Secretariat of the Special Committee for the Integration and Rehabilitation of Maoist Combatants proposed a five-phase action plan that aims to conclude the process by 2013. Representatives of the UCPN-M, however, registered their note of dissent over the proposal submitted to the Special Committee. The Maoists stressed the need for a "political decision" on the modality of integration and the rehabilitation package before the enforcement of the plan.

The WikiLeaks released a document reputed to have been sent by the US embassy in New Delhi to the State Department in Washington in which the Embassy has mentioned that the Indian Government believes the Nepalese Maoists sold arms to the Indian Naxalites [Left Wing Extremists]. "The Naxalites have bought some arms from Nepalese Maoists," mentions the cable dated April 18, 2006. However, the document does not show any operational ideological link between the Indian and the Nepalese Maoists.

December 21

The MJF-L led by Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar is in the verge of a vertical split with central committee member Sanjaya Shah announcing a new group 'Madhesh Kranti Forum'. Shah said that he and his supporters formed a new party as MJF-L did not play an effective role in the Constituent Assembly on the issues of Madhesh.

Minister for Peace and Reconstruction Rakam Chemjong accused the UCPN-M of not willing to bring its combatants under the Army Integration Special Committee. "The Maoist proposal for extension of UNMIN's tenure is an attempt to keep their combatants outside the command of the Special committee," minister Chemjong said at an interaction programme held in Kathmandu.

Government sent a letter to the UN to leave behind its monitoring equipment and logistic support after the mission?s departure next month. "We have sent a letter requesting UNMIN to hand over logistics and other materials being used in monitoring the People?s Liberation Army (PLA) combatants to the Government after it leaves on January 15, 2011," Minister for Peace and Reconstruction Minister Rakam Chemjong told.

December 22

The Chairman of the RPP, Pashupati Shumsher Rana raised his suspicion that the UCPN-M could misuse its combatants after the departure of UNMIN.

December 23

At least 30 civilians were injured, eight of them seriously, when the cadres of the UCPN-M attacked the locals at a secondary school in Phulbariya of Siraha District.

The big three parties ? UCPN-M, NC and the CPN-UML - agreed to call the regular session of the legislature parliament by ending the ongoing special session.

December 25

Vice-chairman of the UCPN-M, Baburam Bhattarai said the UNMIN?s term should be extended until the completion of the peace process in the country. Talking to the media persons after a programme organised in Kathmandu Bhattarai clarified that he is in favour of extending UNMIN?s term.

According to the figures made public by the INSEC in Gorkha District showed that the UCPN-M tops the human rights violation incidents. The survey, which was based on 16 incidents in the District, showed active involvements of the Maoist in majority?11 of the incidents. It was made public that the Maoist manhandled, threatened, and displaced more than two dozen people in 11 different mishaps. "The Maoist has been violating human rights right from the beginning of this year," INSEC District Representative Bhim Lal Shrestha said, "However, the Nepali Congress (NC) has also been violent to teachers, Maoists cadres, and locals."

December 26

Two cadres belonging to the JTMM-J including a coordinator of the outfit, were killed in Police action in Rautahat District. The deceased have been identified as JTMM-J coordinator Surendrabin Baniya alias Kamal and Secretary Harish Chandra Sahani alias Umesh. The Police had been searching Baniya and Sahani from a long time for their alleged involvement in murder, abduction, extortion and other criminal activities.

Ahead of UNMIN scheduled departure in January 15, 2011, UNSC is divided on how to respond if it receives a consensus request for UNMIN?s term extension from Nepal. The UNSC, however, has four options at its disposal, said Security Council Report, a New York-based think-tank closely following the activities of 15-member UNSC. According to the report, the divided UNSC could respond to the request by either choosing to leave nevertheless or agreeing to renew the mandate unchanged or deciding on a technical rollover (offer of some weeks for the two sides to find common ground while giving UNMIN an extension within a current mandate) of one to two months, or renewing the mandate with changes reflecting a new role for UN.

The Minister of State for Physical Planning and Works Sanjay Kumar Sah has been expelled from the post upon the recommendation of MJF-D. Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal ousted Shah as per the Clause 8 (c) of the article 38 of the Interim Constitution-2063BS, informed the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers.

December 28

An unidentified group shot dead a cadre, belonging to the MJF, identified as Hari Narayan Dev, (55), elder brother of MJF ?general secretary? Jitendra Dev, in near Rajbiraj District. He was shot at when he was coming to District headquarter Rajbiraj from his ancestral home in Boriya.

UCPN-M warned that the Government?s plan not to extend the tenure of the UNMIN would create constitutional and legal complications. The UCPN-M said the Interim Constitution and other components of the peace process, including the CPA, do not imagine a scenario where the UN arms monitor leaves before its job is completed.

The UCPN-M chairman Prachanda proposed action against vice chairman Baburam Bhattarai charging the latter of giving expressions in the media and public functions against party policy and tradition. At the ongoing standing committee meeting in party headquarters Parisdanda, Prachanda proposed to activate the party?s discipline committee against Bhattarai?s expressions in various public functions.

December 29

At least four civilians were injured in a blast in Nepalgunj of Banke District. The bomb, which went off at market area near a hardware store at Surkhet road, also caused partial damage to some shops nearly, according to Police. Following the blast, security has been stepped in the District while all the shops were closed following the incident blast.

The cadres belonging to the FLSC-S faction assaulted the members of the RJM at Mukti Chowk of Birtamod of Jhapa District in the course of its campaign against federalism. The FLSC-S cadres attacked RJM members, including vice chairman Bir Bahadur Gole, and disrupted the programme saying the party had organised the programme without their permission and that they had protested against federalism.

December 30

The UCPN-M warned that the party would take stiff measures if the Government continued arresting its cadres on charges of old cases. "Our serious attention has been drawn by the revival of ?fake? cases dating back to the armed conflict period at different parts of the country, including in Okhaldhunga, Dolpa, Rukum, Salyan and Nawalparasi," said UCPN-M Secretary C.P. Gajurel at a press conference at the party headquarters in Kathmandu. Gajurel said his party would wage a struggle against the Government if it didn?t withdraw the cases at the earliest.

December 31

The UCPN-M wrote a letter requesting the UN to extend the term of UNMIN. The letter has been dispatched by UCPN-M Chairman Prachanda requesting the UN to extend UNMIN mandate till May 28. It has been reported that the sample of the letter has been received by UNMIN chief Karin Langren.

The UCPN-M vice chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha claimed that the party is not going to take disciplinary action against another vice chairman Baburam Bhattarai. Speaking at the Reporters' Club in Kathmandu Shrestha said the upcoming central committee meeting called by party chairman Prachanda is not meant to decide on what kind of action to take against Bhattarai. "In a communist party there can be multiple streams of thoughts and ideas. Nobody will be punished for expressing one's views," said Shrestha.