Most of the 28 former UML lawmakers who aired their views at a gathering at the party headquarters in Balkhu on Thursday said that the standing committee´s decision to totally shut the door for CA revival was a mistake and must be corrected.[break]
Of the total 108 UML lawmakers of the dissolved CA, around 54 were present at the interaction organized by the party´s recently-formed committee formed to prepare and publish a white paper on the role UML and other political parties can play in constitution writing.
The committee, which is also entrusted with preparing a separate detailed report on the progress made by CA in its four-year tenure, convened the gathering with a view to collect feedback and personal opinions of former UML lawmakers. Party Secretary Shankar Pokharel heads the committee. Yogesh Bhattarai, a member of the committee, said the committee would submit the white paper in a month and the detailed report in the next three months.
“Of the 28 former lawmakers who aired their views, at least 90 percent members not only fiercely criticized the standing committee decision but also demanded that the decision be rectified immediately,” a participant told Republica.
They said CA revival is the safest option to finish the incomplete task of constitution writing.
“It is accepted by the top leaders of the major political parties that at least 90 percent of the work of constitution writing has been accomplished and the safest way to move ahead is to revive the CA for a brief period,” a leader participating in the meeting said. “None of the other options including fresh election to CA or formation of a commission would be safe as reviving the CA.”
Khanal positive
According to the participants of the gathering, party Chairman Jhalanath Khanal indicated that the party leadership may review its decision.
He assured the participants that the party may revise its decisions in the changed political context. He clarified that the party leadership may rectify its decision after negotiations with other political parties.
“The issue can be discussed at the party´s all-powerful central committee after studying the decisions of other political parties,” a leader quoted Khanal as saying.
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