Speaking at the ongoing Central Committee meeting, central member Kashi Nath Adhikari backed the directly elected presidential system. [break]
"As we are going to adopt federalism and other new systems in the new constitution, we need a strong ruler. A directly elected president can be fit to lead the country in such a situation," Adhikari said.
Responding to the concerns raised by other members regarding the chances of such a ruler turning autocrat, he suggested an appropriate arrangement for power separation to avoid such situation.
Adhikari, who is believed to be close to senior leader KP Oli, said a popularly elected president needs to end instability and conflict between the two power centers in the country. He claimed that he is not alone to support the idea.
"Party Vice-Chairman Bamdev Gautam, Pashupati Chaulagain and Keshav Badal, among others, are also in favor of this model," Adhikari told myrepublica.com.
UML members in the CC as well as in the Constituent Assembly (CA) have been sharply divided into two groups. Some members, mostly close to party chairman Jhala Nath Khanal, are for adopting directly elected prime ministerial system while those close to Oli are for parliament-elect prime ministerial system. UCPN (Maoist) has officially proposed directly elected executive presidential system.
Around 15 members spoke in Monday´s meeting on the agenda of the contents of new constitution. The discussion was mainly focused on the system of governance and state restructuring.
Party chairman Khanal urged the members to put their views openly in the meeting but not to opt for voting to choose any system.
"We will come up with a consensus decision. Voting in such national issues sows the seeds of party division," CC member Yogesh Bhattarai quoted Khanal as saying. Khanal had reminded the case of Mahakali Treaty that had led the party to a vertical split a decade ago.
"After all, our party decision will not be the final. We have to reach an agreement with other parties in the CA as well while writing the constitution. Therefore, there is no meaning of going for intra-party voting," he said.
Related story
Revised interest rate corridor system introduced
