"We need to reiterate the party´s full support to the government as we have found some confusion over the government even within our party," a politburo member quoted Pokharel as saying in the party´s politburo meeting.
Several politburo members have accused the party establishment of not supporting the government wholeheartedly. The leaders have also criticized Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal for taking a ´too soft stance´ on Maoists. In his political paper presented in the politburo meeting, Khanal has argued that the UML needs to be ready for sacrifice for the sake of national consensus. The leaders have demanded clarification from Khanal whether he wanted to suggest that the party leaders step down from the government to pave the way for the Maoists to lead it.
Pokharel said suggestions and comments on the chairman´s report will be accepted and included in the document.
On Maoists, he urged the leaders not to forget the three-dimensional relationship policy passed by the party´s recent general convention. The general convention had endorsed a policy saying that the UML will be in favor of a broader political alliance with Maoists for progressive changes but will keep on the ideological battle with the former rebels.
In Thursday´s meeting, Deputy Prime Minister and party Vice Chairperson Bidya Bhandari and politburo members Prithivi Subba Gurung and Pashupati Chaulagain spoke.
Gurung said Khanal´s report should be more specific on the party´s goals. He called Khanal´s suggestion for ´sacrifice´ a wrong analysis. "We can fulfill our duty set by the party´s general convention by leading the government. Therefore, we should not quit the leadership in the government," he said.
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