Miscellaneous
UML 'values' coalition with NC for statute sake
Underlining the need to work with the Nepali Congress on national agenda, the CPN-UML has proposed to continue the governing coalition until a new constitution is written as promised.Presenting a political report draft to the party's ongoing General Convention, party Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal highlighted the need for unity among the major political forces for sake of the constitution.
The document mentions NC as a promoter of liberal economy. The party believes that the achievements of the 2006 peaceful revolution such as republicanism, secularism and inclusiveness with social justice will be threatened unless a new national charter is promulgated by the second Constituent Assembly.
Efforts to write the constitution went futile in the first CA owing to differences among the major parties on key constitutional issues—federalism and form of governance.
"Despite political and ideological differences, we want to continue working with the Congress until a new constitution is promulgated. Then, we will adopt the policy of coalition and competition towards the NC," Pradeep Gyawali told journalists during a briefing.
The party has reiterated its position of seven provinces, mixed electoral system, directly elected prime minister as the executive head and ceremonial president elected through parliament.
The 17-chapter political dossier analyses the international scenario, global recession, geopolitics, the 2006 movement and the party's performance in earlier CA and governments.
The document notes the party's mistake of toppling the government led by own leader in the past. Khanal was involved in toppling the Madhav Kumar Nepal-led government, to form a Cabinet under him with the backing of the UCPN (Maoist).
"Despite getting to lead the government twice, we could not do much about completing the new constitution," Gyawali quoted Khanal as saying.
The political paper floats a '35-year development dream' to develop Nepal as a prosperous nation before the Nepali communist movement completes 100 years. Khanal proposes completing the remaining tasks of constitution-writing within the next six months, and elevating Nepal to a developing country status within nine years.
In Saturday's session, General Secretary Ishwor Pokharel presented an organisational report, stressing the need to mobilise the party for social and economic development. The report proposes democratisation of the party and handing over the leadership to a younger generation.
During the closed session, organisation department chief Yubaraj Gyawali proposed an amendment to the party statute, suggesting changes to the preamble.
The draft is for electing the party chief, five vice-chairpersons, a general secretary, two deputy-general secretaries and five secretaries. The numbers of office bearers will be finalised after a discussion.