TRIVENIDHAAM (NAWALPARASI), April 11: Even as they converged on federalism based on common identity and economic viability, Nepali Congress (NC) Mahasamiti members have remained sharply divided over the number of federal provinces.
Against the proposal in the political paper presented by party Vice President Ram Chandra Poudel, members have made different proposals of their own, ranging from five to 13 provinces, at the ongoing closed-door session of the Mahasamiti that began on Monday.[break]
The members were divided into 14 groups on zonal basis and asked to put forth their opinion on various issues including federalism, system of governance and the party´s policy on Madhes, after holding discussions within their respective groups. While the Karnali, Janakpur and Lumbini groups suggested adopting a six-province federal model that includes three provinces in Tarai-Madhes and three others in the hill and mountain regions, other zonal groups had different proposals, such as for five, 11 and 13 provinces.
NC had for the first time held group discussions of this kind to gather the collective views of Mahasamiti members from different zones. Each group was asked to present its position on various issues including federalism, system of governance, the causes of defeat in the last election in Madhes and ways to better represent the marginalized and backward communities in all state structures and decision-making bodies.
Arguing that positive discrimination and a reservations policy could help empower marginalized groups, members ruled out the possibility of adopting single ethnic-identity based federal provinces. They have also suggested to the party leadership to ensure at least 33 percent representation of women and proportionate representation of other marginalized and backward groups in various party structures.
Though divided over the number of provinces, all the members appeared unanimous on a mixed electoral system and a parliamentary system of governance, and asked the party leadership to stick to the NC´s long standing position on a parliament-elected executive prime minister and a ceremonial president.
Likewise, the Mahasamiti members have argued that there must be fresh elections by mid-December, if these are not possible in June.
Talking to media persons, NC Spokesperson Dilendra Badu said they have received constructive suggestions from Mahasamiti members on various issues including federalism, Madhes and other concurrent issues. "We will incorporate all the suggestions received from Mahasamiti members in the papers," he said.
The Mahasamiti meeting is scheduled to conclude Thursday after endorsing all the papers presented at the Mahasamiti meeting, with necessary revisions.
General convention of sister organizations
Arguing that the party had become weak at the local level due to ´dysfunctional´ sister organizations, all Mahasamiti members have asked the party leadership to facilitate the holding of their general conventions before the fresh CA elections. NC has yet to hold general conventions for its 13 sister organizations, except for Nepal Dalit Association.
Regmi´s resignation as CJ
Most of those speaking at the closed-door sessions have asked the party leadership to seek the resignation of Chairman of Interim Election Council of Ministers Khil Raj Regmi from the post of Chief Justice. They argued that Regmi´s resignation as CJ was a must to uphold the principle of separation of powers.
The members also asked the party leadership to take special initiatives to scrap all the political appointments made by the erstwhile Baburam Bhattarai-led government and hold talks with disgruntled political groups that are opposing polls, to ensure free and fair elections.
They likewise asked the party leadership not to support the appointment of Lok Man Singh Karki as chief of the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA).
50 percent Mahasamiti members leave venue
With the meeting still underway, over 50 percent of the Mahasamiti members have already left the meeting venue, partly because of the hot weather and poor food and lodging arrangements.
"They might have left the meeting due to the hot weather and poor accomodation arrangements," said Mohammad Nurul Haq, Mahasamiti member from Sarlahi-5.
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