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UML central leaders to visit riot-hit districts
Ahead of the promulgation of a new constitution, the ruling CPN-UML is sending its central leaders to riot-stricken districts with the purpose of pacifying protests against the proposed federal delineation.Ahead of the promulgation of a new constitution, the ruling CPN-UML is sending its central leaders to riot-stricken districts with the purpose of pacifying protests against the proposed federal delineation.
The UML leadership has instructed its local party organisations to carry out rallies in support of communal harmony and new constitution. “Central leaders are at standby here in Kathmandu and they will visit there once the local leaders request for their presence,” UML Secretary Pradeep Gyawali said.
UML believes that the party needs to defend and publicise the progressive provisions in the new constitutions such as federalism, secularism and republicanism.
“We want to make public aware of the positive aspects in the new constitution,” Gyawali said.
In recent days, protesters are targeting the party offices of major political parties. The UML’s party offices in Rautahat, Mahottari and Rajbiraj were vandalised and set on fire recently. The protesters had also tried unsuccessfully to vandalise the party’s office in Dhanusha district on Monday.
Concerned by the growing hostility among the protesters towards the party at the local level, the UML Standing Committee meeting had decided to mobilise its leaders and cadres, including those from the Madhesi and Janajati communities, to different parts of the country to brief the public about the party’s position on the new constitution and to defend is provisions.
The UML leadership has also directed its lawmakers against tabling amendment proposals on the constitution draft.
Meanwhile, the members of the UML sister wing, Youth Association Nepal (YAN), have already reached various Tarai districts with the objective of restoring communal harmony.
On Sunday, 30 YAN central leaders had left for 20 riot-stricken districts with the view of promoting peace and harmony and defending UML’s position on the new constitution.
YAN leaders said they have already started consultation with local party leaders, civil society members and representatives from other parties in view of carrying rallies to restore communal harmony.
“The YAN leaders will also hold meetings with the sister organisations of other political parties and civil society members, among others, to create an environment for peace, communal harmony and constitution,” YAN spokesperson Prabhat Bikram Katawal said.