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Oli takes a hard line on Khanal
KATHMANDU, JUL 31 -
CPN-UML leader KP Sharma Oli on Saturday came down heavily against party Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal for not convening Central Committee (CC) meeting.
The CC, controlled by Oli and caretaker Prime Minister and UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal, has been pressuring the party establishment to revert the earlier decision to stay neutral in prime ministerial election for a majority government.
Earlier, CC had decided not to vote any candidate unless other parties agree to form a national consensus government. The Oli faction believes that the last meeting was postponed following the decision to field Khanal in the prime minister race conditionally.
Khanal was forced to withdraw his candidacy even he just short of 10 votes in gaining the support of two-third majority (401).
“The Central Committee meeting must begin. But the party leadership seems dilly-dallying,” Oli said at a programme in the Capital.
Oli has not formally asked Khanal to call the meeting. According to the UML statute, the chairman shall call the CC meeting within 15 days once majority of members request.
Despite pressure from Oli and Nepal, the party establishment is firm on its decision not to vote any candidate for a majority government.
“Institutionally, UML had already taken its decision. The meeting will not be called if somebody demands from the street,” UML General Secretary Ishwor Pokharel said. A UML source has ruled out any meeting before the third round of prime ministerial election scheduled for Monday.
Oli and Nepal want to revise earlier decision and force Khanal to take a new decision to support Nepali Congress candidate. However, the Khanal faction is adamant to foil such strategy.
Posted on: 2010-08-01 07:33
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