Nepal premier quits in favor of ex-Maoists
Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala on Thursday cleared the way for a government led by former communist rebels by announcing his resignation.
For months Koirala had refused to step down and make way for a new government, but he finally announced his plans at Nepal’s constituent assembly, elected in April to rewrite the constitution and govern the Himalayan nation.
The former Maoist guerrillas, formally known as the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), resigned from the interim government two weeks ago in an effort to force Koirala, a member of the rival Nepali Congress Party, to quit.
The Maoists lack a majority and have to form a coalition.
It was unclear when they would formally take power. Word of Koirala’s decision came as a general strike to protest an increase in fuel prices swept through Katmandu, the capital, shutting down schools, businesses and markets.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
