Nepal in political limbo after Maoists walk out
Updated
Nepal is once again in political limbo after the Maoists quit the interim government of the new republican nation and demanded the prime minister's resignation.
The former Maoist rebels resigned from government accusing the prime minister's Nepali Congress Party of clinging to power despite being defeated in landmark elections two months ago.
The Maoists, who dominate the new assembly elected in April, say they have the right to lead the government and choose a new president.
They say the wrangling is preventing the assembly from starting work on its chief task of rewriting Nepal's constitution.
Nepali Congress officials say Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala -- regarded by many as the architect of a peace deal that ended a deadly civil war waged by the Maoists and led to the creation of the new republic -- deserves to be Nepal's first president.
The president's role is a crucial one because the person occupying the office is expected to be commander of the armed forces.
The Maoist decision has deepened the political impasse but the Nepalis Congress party says there are still solutions to the differences.
