A statement issued after the first day of the meeting has drawn the attention of the government not to drag the routine recruitment of the NA personnel, which is going ahead "according to the law and past agreements", into any sort of controversy.
The government warning to the national army, said the statement, gives rise to conflict between the government and the national army and undermines the morale of the army. The second largest party in the ruling coalition has also alerted the government that such acts adversely affect the peace process and the country as a whole.
"It is known to everyone that the NA has been conducting fresh recruitment and other routine activities even after the peace process started," said the statement. "In this regard, there should be no controversy about the ongoing recruitment in the NA."
UML chief Jhala Nath Khanal also told the meeting that it is blunder on part of the Prime Minister and the Defense Minister to give remarks that undermine army´s morale. "It is also wrong on part of Nepali Congress to give remarks pampering the army," he told the meeting, adding that it is very natural for the NA to fill positions that have fallen vacant, not additional recruitment.
The meeting also came to a conclusion that appointment of two new priests at the Pashupatinath Temple is illegal. "The priests have been appointed in an opaque and pushy manner by breaching established norms and process," said the statement. "UML demands with the government to roll back the appointments and appoint qualified Nepali priests in a transparent manner."
The meeting, which will resume on Tuesday, is going to discuss and finalize the party´s political document, statute amendment, and election process of national convention representatives, among others.
UML central committee members Rajendra Shrestha and Pradip Gyawali informed the meeting about Maoist "terror" and attacks on UML cadres in Kathmandu and Gulmi.
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