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Forms of governance: UML stance could swing the balance

KATHMANDU, JAN 12 -
As deadlock over forms of governance continues to stall the constitution drafting process with the UCPN (Maoist) and the Nepali Congress (NC) standing firm on a directly elected president with executive powers and a parliamentary system respectively, the CPN-UML’s position is likely to swing the balance. However, the third largest party seems to be equally divided.

Though in its election manifesto, the UML has advocated for a directly elected prime minister and a ceremonial president, party leader Madhav Kumar Nepal has, of late, begun actively lobbying for a parliamentary system as advocated by the NC.

UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal favours the mixed model as recommended by a taskforce under the Dispute Resolution Subcommittee.

“UML’s first alternative is to stick to the mixed system, with clear division of powers between the prime minister and the president, clearly defining their jurisdictions as per the recommendation of the Dispute Resolution Subcommittee,” said Agni Kharel, a member of the taskforce.

UML leaders seem to think that the party’s position on a directly elected prime minister outlined in their manifesto could also become a meeting point between competing visions of a federal executive offered by the NC and the Maoists.

UML leaders say that they will revert to the party’s 2008 CA election manifesto if the other parties fail to agree on a mixed system.

Another key player in the party, third-ranking leader KP Oli, has not clearly stated his position in public, but his supporters say that he shares the party chairman’s views on the issue. In recent weeks, Khanal and Oli have come together and this has led to Oli’s elevation as the third-ranking leader in the party.

“We feel that the mixed model could become a meeting point,” said Karna Bahadur Thapa, a Central Committee member, who is close to Oli.

Posted on: 2012-01-13 09:08

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