Four Maoist ministers quit Nepal govt

In a major setback to Nepal's fragile peace process, Maoists today walked out of the government after Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala rejected their demand for declaring Nepal a republic before the constituent assembly polls.

Four Maoists ministers resigned en-masse from the Koirala-led interim government, which the former rebels joined in April under the peace deal that ended the decade old insurgency in the Himalayan nation.

Those who resigned include Minister for Information Krishna Bahadur Mahara, Minister for Local Development Dev Gurung, Minister for Physical Planning Hisila Yami and Minister for Women and Social Welfare Khadga Bahadur Bishwokarma.

Minister for Forest Matrika Yadav had resigned two months ago as he had differences with other members of the cabinet.

The Maoists had issued an ultimatum till today to fulfil their 22-point demand, which include declaring Nepal a republican state by abolishing monarchy and holding constituent assembly polls through proportionate voting system.

(Reporting by Shirish B Pradhan)