"The UML should demonstrate maximum flexibility and should be ready to pave the way for formation of national consensus government," read the proposal.
The proposal, which was originally drafted by former Home Minister Bhim Rawal and politburo member Pradeep Gyawali, was later finalized by the party´s central secretariat and presented by General Secretary Ishwar Pokharel at the meeting for discussion.[break]
On integration of Maoist army, the proposal has suggested integrating 5,000 combatants at the most into government security agencies. The leaders have suggested that the entire integration process can be accomplished within nine weeks.
"An agreement should be reached on the modality of integration, integration number and rehabilitation package, and then the plan of action and the calendar for the peace process should be endorsed by the government´s Special Committee by May 28," said the proposal.
It has proposed to accomplish the tasks of surveying the interests of the combatants and categorizing them as per their preference in the next eight weeks.
As per the plan, within the next nine weeks, the combatants should be sent to different camps for integration and rehabilitation respectively and the government should take responsibility for the combatants´ security.
On the constitution writing front, the proposal has suggested extending the CA term by six months only.
Deviating from the party´s official stance stated in its manifesto, the proposal has floated a new model for form of governance. "We should float the idea of mixed governance system in which the president will be directly elected from the popular votes and a leader garnering majority in parliament will be elected prime minister," read the proposal.
It has said a detailed list describing the roles and responsibilities of the head of state and head of government will be mentioned in the constitution itself so as to avoid any confusion over their jurisdiction and to avoid any possibility of power tussle between the two.
The UML in its election manifesto has committed itself to adopting directly-elected prime ministerial system and ceremonial presidency. But, while preparing the preliminary draft in the CA´s thematic committee, UML leaders had voted in favor of Westminster model as advocated by the Nepali Congress (NC).
The leaders have also proposed adopting the Mixed-Member Proportional (MMP) Electoral System in the new constitution. "While there should be a proportional electoral system for provisional assemblies, the chiefs and their deputies should be elected through direct elections," read the nine-page document.
On state restructuring, the team has strongly pushed for taking final decisions on the basis of recommendations made by a high-level state restructuring commission as envisioned by the Interim Constitution.
Politburo members will discuss the proposal and forward it to the Central Committee (CC) which is scheduled to meet on Tuesday. Leaders said the proposal will be finalized as per the views of the politburo and CC members.
Two politburo members Prithvi Subba Gurung and Beduram Bhusal aired their views at the meeting on Sunday. Gurung at the meeting said though the integration number can be reduced or increased on the basis of understanding among the parties. "But the command of the directorate comprising Maoist combatants and government security personnel must be headed by the Nepal Army," said Gurung.
The proposal by the UML secretariat comes just a day after the prime minister and chiefs of two other ruling parties -- UCPN (Maoist) and Madhesi People´s Rights Forum (MPRF) -- floated a joint proposal for concluding the peace process and constitution writing.
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