Indecision mars meetings of NC, UML central bodies

May 10, 2008
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Meetings of the central committees of Nepali Congress and CPN (UML), the two major parties that faced embarrassing loss in the recent polls, continue in the capital for nearly two weeks amid internal wrangling.

Today’s meeting of NC’s central working committee (CWC) at Prime Minister and party president Girija Prasad Koirala’s residence in Baluwatar discussed the party’s position regarding the incoming government – most likely be led by the Maoists; the grievances coming from the party ranks over the selection of candidates for proportional seats; and revamping of the leadership in the aftermath of the party’s electoral loss.

However, the CWC members appeared just as divided on these issues with some of them voicing strong reservation over the selection of PR candidates, NC sources said. The meeting will resume in Baluwatar at 8 a.m. Sunday.

Meanwhile, senior NC leader Purna Bahadur Khadka announced his resignation as the CWC member today, citing the continued intra-party wrangling, and accused the party leadership of favouritism while selecting PR candidates.

Khadka, a former Home Minister, who was elected under the PR system, also expressed dissatisfaction at the way the party mechanism is functioning.

The NC leader currently faces charges of having a role in the killing on April 8 of CPN-UML candidate in Surkhet, Rishi Prasad Sharma. He has, however, denied any involvement in the murder case.

Meanwhile, the central committee meeting of the UML also continues at the party headquarters, with frequent intervals, since April 27.

The meeting is yet to pass the ‘political report’ presented by acting general secretary Amrit Kumar Bohara. Central committee member Bhim Rawal said the meeting is likely to pass Bohara’s report with some amendments today.

Fourteen central committee members had resigned on Thursday citing their differences with the way the leadership is handling the party affairs. They also claimed that the selection process for PR seats was not fair.

UML leaders said the CC meeting, which is expected to take a decision whether to be a part of the incoming ‘Maoist-led’ government, is likely to continue for few more days. nepalnews.com mk May 10 08