They urged the party to prioritize economic aspects while delineating the provinces. [break]
“Most of the members who spoke at today´s meeting suggested that as a Marxist party, the UML must give priority to the economic aspects instead of ethnicity while delineating the federal units,” Beduram Bhusal, who was present in the meeting, told myrepublica.com.
The members argued that the federal system should be a means to abolish all forms of economic disparities in the society. Also the members were against guaranteeing special political rights to the largest ethnic group in a particular province. They maintained that giving such rights was not necessary as all the political parties have already agreed to adopt proportional as well as inclusive electoral system.
The Constituent Assembly (CA) committee on state restructuring has proposed a 14-province model comprising eight ethnicity-based states. The committee has also suggested ensuring special political rights to the largest ethnic group in a given province.
The members in the meeting also discussed system of governance to be adopted in the new constitution. Though the UML is in favor of executive prime minister and ceremonial president, the party is sharply divided over the system of the election of the prime minister.
The members, especially those close to party Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal, are for executive prime minister elected directly from the people while other members close to KP Oli are the parliament elected executive prime minister. The party in its election manifesto states that the party is for the prime minister directly elected by the people.
“In common, the members have suggested not making any compromise on the key democratic aspects including separation of powers, rule of law, periodic election and human rights," Bhusal added.
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