Uncertainty over 17th round of PM poll in Nepal

KATHMANDU - Amid growing speculation that the 17th round of the controversial election in Nepal to pick a new prime minister would be deferred Monday, the countrys top three parties began last-ditch talks to find a way out.

At a plush resort in Gokarna in Kathmandu, famed for its golf course, the ruling communists, their ally, the centrist Nepali Congress, and the opposition Maoist party teed off negotiations Monday to avert yet another futile round of election after being censured by the Supreme Court.

Last week, after two lawyers brought a public interest suit against the futile election, the apex court said parliament should find a way out and either change the poll process or elect the sole contestant left in the fray the winner.

The suit came after parliament held 16 rounds of election since July to elect a new prime minister but failed.

Nepals unique poll procedure dictates that to win the vote, a candidate needs to get simple majority in the 601-seat house.

However, with the Maoists and the communists, two of the largest parties, abstaining from voting, it became impossible for a contestant to win 300-odd seats.

The Maoists and the communists decided to sit on the fence after they were forced to withdraw their candidates, the former due to a vote-buying scandal and the latter due to a feud within the party.

The Supreme Court has recommended that either the remaining contestant, Ram Chandra Poudel, be declared the winner or the election process be amended.

While the Maoists and communists have been clamouring for a change in the process so that they can re-enter the ring, Poudels Nepali Congress party is refusing to agree, fearing an opportunistic poll alliance between the Maoists and the communists that can help them come to power.

The protracted stalemate threatens to bankrupt the caretaker government that has been unable to pass the budget due to Maoist opposition.

The government finally said it will table the budget Friday despite warnings by Maoist leaders that they will block it.

The Maoists have threatened to block the budget till the ruling parties allow them to lead the government or reach a power-sharing agreement.

The World Bank has predicted that Nepals government will run out of money after Monday.