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UML lawmakers press PM to put in papers
KATHMANDU, APR 10 -
Saturday’s meeting of the CPN-UML saw a majority of speakers ask Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal to step down. Of 16 Constituent Assembly (CA) members, who addressed the meeting, 12 asked Nepal to step down for failing to expedite the peace and constitution-making processes.
Prime Minister Nepal’s 10-month stint with power has wreaked havoc on political, security and diplomatic fronts, the speakers opined, asking the prime minister to put in papers and pave the way for a national unity government.
The meeting was a joint session of the UML’s Standing Committee and Parliamentary Party (PP).
It began with Party Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal’s address. Khanal stressed the need for a national unity government.
The faction close to Khanal claims that over 70 CA members have already put their signatures on a proposal to replace the party-led government for timely promulgation of the statute and success of the peace process.
They have been warning that the country could face a constitutional crisis because of Prime Minister Nepal’s inability to forge a broader political consensus.
“The harder the prime minister sticks to power, the faster the country will face a constitutional crisis,” said Rabindra Adhikari, a UML CA member.
Adhikari found supporters in other PP members, including Yam Lal Kandel, Yuba Raj Karki, Bijaya Paudel, Ram Nath Dhakal, Radha Gywali, Gopal Thakur, Rijwan Ansari and Pradhumna Lal Chauhan. All of them lambasted the prime minister for failing to work for a broader political consensus.
The PP members said they would table the proposal, which demands Nepal’s resignation, after hearing from Nepal, according to Bhim Acharya, the UML Chief Whip.
PP members close to the prime minister, responding to criticisms, said those, who demand toppling of the party-led government, have no moral right to hold party membership.
“Those who demand toppling of the party-led government do not belong to the party. They can go wherever they like,” said CA member Deepak Karki.
PP members, including Tham Maya Thapa, Deepak Karki, Sita Paudel and Najir Minya stood for the prime minister, demanding action against signature collectors, including the party chairman Khanal.
Party Vice Chairman Bamdev Gautam, however, was absent.
Posted on: 2010-04-11 10:05
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