He said though the UML´s official line is popularly-elected prime minister and ceremonial president, the party wouldn´t obstruct the statute drafting process by sticking to its stance. [break]
"Our party is officially for directly-elected prime minister and ceremonial president," Khanal said at a function organized by UML´s wing Youth Association Nepal (YAN). "But UML is not rigid and we are ready to consider various models on system of governance."
Stating that the UCPN (Maoist) is rigid over presidential system and Nepali Congress (NC) is sticking to the Westminster parliamentary model, Khanal accused the two parties of hindering the remaining tasks of the statute drafting.
"No party can impose its proposal on others and parties need to show flexibility as per the ground reality of the country," Khanal said. "Our party will show flexibility."
Addressing the same function, another UML leader Madhav Nepal said the leaders from major political parties are striving to find a common ground over the system of governance. He however did not elaborate what such common ground was.
The third-largest UML, which is plagued by deepening intra-party feuds and lately working to patch things up, convened a huge gathering at Birtamod bringing together all its top leaders at the same podium.
Besides former Prime Ministers Khanal and Nepal, K P Oli, Bamdev Gautam and Bidya Bhandari, among others, addressed the gathering. Most of them emphasized intra-party unity.
All the leaders spoke unanimously against ethnic-based federalism
"Since Nepal is multi-ethnic country, any province based on a particular ethnic community can´t be acceptable," said Nepal. He said delineation of provinces along ethnic lines will weaken national integrity.
Khanal termed the party´s recent campaign to strengthen intra-party unity as a genuine initiative.
Oli said the latest campaign has instilled enthusiasm and zeal in the party rank and file.
Gautam and Bhandari said the new campaign will take the party to a new high.
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