NC to make public its concept on future statute Sunday

Party to stand for parliamentary system where PM is accountable to parliament

Wants fresh polls in local bodies, opposes sharing them among major parties

Strong voice for internal democracy and general convention by August

Maoists rapped for failing to respect past accords

KATHMANDU, Feb 21: Nepali Congress has decided to make public its preliminary concept of the future constitution on Sunday and float it for comprehensive debate among the people and party cadres. [break]

The second-day meeting of the party´s Central Working Committee (CWC) decided to stand for a parliament system of government where prime minister is accountable to the parliament. The party will pitch for this provision during the constitution-drafting process.

"The preliminary concept paper will be made public tomorrow," said party spokesperson Arjun Narsingh KC. The Nepali Congress has decided to stand for universal norms of a democratic system, rule of law, periodic elections, press freedom, independent judiciary and fundamental rights of the people, he said.

The party also decided to lobby for determining the future state structure based on geography, economic activities and demography in a way it would strengthen nationality and represent the pluralist nature of Nepali society.

The party´s stance on the provisions of future constitution would be sent to grassroots level through district units of the party. The Constituent Assembly members who are heading for villages later next week to collect public opinions will disseminate these provisions.

According to CWC member Binay Dhwaj Chand, the meeting also decided to oppose the concept of sharing local bodies among the major political parties. "We decided to stand for fresh polls instead of forming them through nominated people," said Chand. "Until elections are held, they should be run through existing system." Currently, government officials are overseeing the affairs of the local bodies in the absence of elected representatives.

Most of the members in the CWC called for embracing internal democracy in the party so as to make it a lively democratic force. Of the 28 members who spoke in Saturday´s meeting, about 20 members demanded that party must hold its general convention at the earliest. They demanded that the party must act on war-footing to hold the convention by August 2009 when all the units´ extended mandate expires.

CWC members Govinda Raj Joshi and Narahari Acharya presented written papers on what the party should advocate for during constitution-drafting process. In their paper, both the members stressed the need for practicing internal democracy.

Acharya called for direct election of the prime minister to avert recurrence of past day political instability.

In the meeting, party spokesperson KC called for collective leadership in the party instead of current presidential one. "At least 70-80 percent of the central members should be elected through general convention and the composition should be inclusive," KC told the meeting. According to a member, KC also accused the party leadership of running the party in personal discretion, not through a system.

Most of the members criticized the Maoists for trying to impose a dictatorial rule by trampling on all the principles of rule of law and democracy. The members had presented long lists of the Maoists breaching the agreements from 12-point understanding of 2005 to Comprehensive Peace Accord. "If we look at the appointment in Nepal Academy and amnesty to 349 criminals, we can arrive at a conclusion that the government is criminalizing politics and politicizing the crime," said KC.

yuvraj@myrepublica.com