UML to engage other parties from new perspective

KATHMANDU, Feb 26: The newly-elected chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist), Jhala Nath Khanal, said on Thursday that his party´s relations with the other political parties will be developed from a new perspective. He, however, didn´t elaborate what that "new perspective" would be. [break]



He told journalists at party headquarters after assuming office for the first time since his election to the top party post of chairman on Tuesday, that the CPN-UML will focus its efforts on the writing of the new constitution. "The UML will start fresh negotiations with both ruling and opposition parties from a new perspectives," said Khanal, who was flanked by newly-elected general secretary Ishwar Pokharel and vice-chairman Ashok Rai, among others.



About 1,800 UML delegates at the eighth general convention in Butwal had elected eight office-bearers from among the115 members of the central committee. The general convention wound up on Wednesday, four days behind schedule.



Khanal said the UML will advocate the election of an executive prime minister by the electorate directly, under the new constitution. "The policy of election of the prime minister by the House hasn´t been effective," said Khanal, adding that the country´s president should be just a ceremonial figure as the focus of national unity.



Khanal said his party will become more effective in national politics and there will be more effective coordination with other political parties.



KP Sharma Oli, who was defeated by Khanal at the general convention in the contest for chairman, was nowhere to be seen at the party office, which was decked out today to welcome the newly-elected office bearers (chairman, three vice-chairpersons, general secretary and three secretaries) and the107 other central committee members. Oli, who received the second highest number of votes and secured his berth on the central committee, was also absent from a press conference held in Butwal on Wednesday.



Khanal reiterated the five main tasks facing the party at the national level: framing of the new constitution, leading the peace process to a logical end, state restructuring, economic transformation and national unity.



Earlier, Khanal and the other newly-elected party officials were welcomed at the party office with garlands and vermillion powder.

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