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Majority RPP members for PM to step down
- ‘Party has no right to seek PM’s resignation’
KATHMANDU, NOV 19 - A majority of the central committee members of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party demanded the resignation of Prime Minster Surya Bahadur Thapa
in the party’s central committee meeting that began here today.
Ten out of the 12 central committee members who spoke in the meeting said that the PM should resign taking responsibility for collapse of the ceasefire, for his failure to include mainstream political parties in the govt, and for the deteriorating law and order situation in the country.
Only two central committee members, Bhuwan Pathak and Parshu Ram Khapung, strongly defended Thapa.
Emerging from the meeting, party chairman Pashupati Shumsher Rana also said that majority of the central committee members expressed dissatisfaction over the govt’s conduct and working style.
When asked whether the party would formally ask the PM to step down, Rana said, "I will go by the majority decision."
Party insiders say that Rana as chairman commands an absolute majority in the central committee after he nominated nine members to the central committee last Sunday.
Heated allegations and counter-charges marked the meeting, summoned after six months due to intra-party wrangling.
Party general secretary and Minister for Information and Communications Kamal Thapa, talking to reporters after the meeting, said that the members have no right to demand the PM’s resignation.
"He will not step down simply on the ground that some individuals demanded his resignation," said an infuriated Thapa. "Party cadres from Mechi to Mahakali are in favour of the govt."
Thapa also said that the party could head towards a split if it adopted a resolution demanding the PM’s resignation. "But I hope the whole party will stand by the PM."
Pathak, a close confidante of the PM, argued that the demand of a few party members did not merit the PM’s resignation.
PM Thapa also briefly attended the meeting today and reprimanded it for not supporting him.
"The party, by not extending its support to the government, exposed itself to the criticism of outsiders," he said. He left the meeting in less than half an hour.
Today’s meeting also deliberated on the political report presented by party general secretary Kamal Thapa, which was criticised by majority of the members.
"It is nothing but an appraisal of the govt’s works," said party spokesperson Roshan Karki.
The party’s assistant general secretary Khem Raj Pandit informed The Kathmandu Post that the meeting would continue on Wednesday.
According to a party source, some party members, including Pandit, are going to press the party leadership to keep the option open for a constituent assembly elections.Posted on: 2003-11-18 09:39
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