Young Generation of Nepal

Prachanda refuses Yadav's resignation

Maoist chairman Prachanda has refused to accept resignation tendered by his party leader and Forest Minister Matrika Yadav.

CPN-Maoist chairman Prachanda (File photo)

After Yadav made a sudden decision to quit the cabinet on Thursday evening, he was taken to a meeting with Prachanda by Minister for Information and Communication Krishna Bahadur Mahara. Despite listening to Yadav's perspective and expressing support to his concerns, Prachanda did not accept his resignation. Yadav was told that his resignation would not be accepted even though the reasons he has cited (for resigning) were termed as 'legitimate and important.'

Yadav had tendered his resignation to Mahara, who leads the five-member Maoist team in the cabinet. to be forwarded to Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala. The PM, on the other hand, had indicated that he would go by the decision made by Prachanda since Yadav is a member of Maoist party.

Yadav has already left his ministerial quarter. However, Mahara has said that since his resignation has not been accepted, he continues to remain a minister.

Earlier, on Thursday, Yadav submitted his resignation letter where he cited such reasons as lack of cooperation from the Home Ministry in curbing the sandalwood smuggling; dissatisfaction over the ongoing talks with "criminal groups" operating in Terai, and the government's failure to act on involuntary disappearances. He further said his department was gripped by commission scandals. He also expressed anger that many of his party colleagues continue to remain detained.

Yadav is learnt to have been at loggerheads with a faction of Madhesi leaders of his party. Following internal differences, he had to resign as the chairman of the Maoist-affiliated Madhesi Rastriya Mukti Morcha.

He was equally at odds with Prime Minister Koirala due to his aggressive remarks on Nepali Army. A maverick minister, he had a verbal duel with PM Koirala soon after the Maoists joined the cabinet on April 1