Central Committee (CC) members of the UML were putting forth their opinions in response to a political document presented by party Chairman Jhalanath Khanal, in which he has demanded that Bhattarai resign to pave the way for a national consensus government that will conclude the peace and constitution drafting process. [break]
A majority of Central Committee members who spoke on Wednesday argued that there was no need to ask for the prime minister´s resignation as the issue of formation of a national consensus government as mentioned in the seven-point deal, in which Bhattarai himself was involved, weighs on the shoulders of Bhattarai himself.
During the meeting, Mukunda Neupane, Pradip Gywali, Kashinath Adhikari, Bishnu Rimal and Gangalal Tuladhar, among others, argued that this was not the right time to seek the prime minister´s resignation.
"Formation of a new government is not an important thing today, but peace and constitution is,” Mukunada Neupane quoted most of the leaders as saying at the meeting. ´The seven-point peace accord includes an agreement to form a consensus government. But the prime minister himself was involved in the talks, and it is his responsibility to ponder how we can form a national consensus government; it is not necessary for the party to come out onto the streets for his resignation.”
But leaders including Yogesh Bhattarai and Khagraj Adhikari, who are from the Khanal faction, argued that it was necessary for the prime minister to resign for the sake of a national consensus.
“This coalition cannot ensure peace and constitution in the country,” said Thakur Gaire, quoting the leaders. “So it is important that the prime minister resign to implement the seven-point deal and ensure peace and constitution.”
The leaders were of the opinion that it is important to ask for the prime minister´s resignation in the wake of the four-point deal between the Maoists and the United Madhesi Democratic Front (UMDF). The UML had vociferously protested the deal.
But there was consensus among UML leaders that the government led by Bhattarai would not be turned into a consensus government as agreed earlier.
“The government formed on the basis of the four-point deal is against the interests of the country. It cannot fulfill the interests of the country,” the participants quoted some leaders as saying at the meeting, adding that the current government could not take the form of a national consensus government. It may be recalled that the UML has spoken openly against the four-point deal between the Maoists and the Madhes-based parties
Chief of the party´s publicity department Pradip Gywali stated that the CA should make public the progress it has made so far, and determine the working procedures to settle the disputes before the party decides on the extension of the CA term. There was disagreement between party leaders on whether the CA term should be extended for three months or for six months.
The party leaders, however, agreed that party hold talks with other parties and decide for how long the CA term should be extended.
During the meeting, Khanal had stated that the government could not function as per the spirit of the consensus among the political parties. The leaders also criticized Bhattarai for forming the largest-ever cabinet.
Similarly, the UML leaders argued that the government has been unable to control corruption and deliver good governance. They also criticized the government for recommending to the president to amnesty Maoist CA member Bal Krishna Dhungel.
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