NC Mahasamiti backs govt, urges constructive Maoist role Meet endorses new statute
KIRAN CHAPAGAIN
(Updated with details)
KATHMANDU, Nov 4: The four-day long Mahasamiti meeting of the Nepali Congress concluded late Wednesday evening after deciding to continue the party´s support to the CPN-UML-led coalition government to take the peace process to a logical conclusion and complete the constitution-writing process on time.
The meeting has also appealed to the opposition UCPN-M to withdraw its ongoing protests, including the one in parliament, saying that those protests are “meaningless”.
The decision of the second most powerful body of the largest coalition partner comes at a time when the opposition UCPN-M has been launching nationwide protests demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal.
“Our party will continue to fully support the present government led by the CPN-UML, besides extending active support to the peace process and the constitution-drafting process,” said Bimalendra Nidhi, party general secretary, before the approximately 1,000 Mahasamiti members.
The members then endorsed the proposal with applause.
The Mahasamiti also asked the opposition UCPN-M to play a “constructive” role of opposition and let parliament to do its work so that the annual budget can be passed.
“The Mahasamiti has asked the UPCN-M to withdraw its protests in parliament,” said Nidhi.
The Maoists have been obstructing proceedings at the legislature-parliament for over three months, pushing the present government into a difficult position, especially in getting the annual budget passed.
Similarly, the Mahasamiti meeting, which was held after two years though it should be held every year, also asked the government and the Maoists to complete the work of management, integration and rehabilitation of Maoist combatants currently living in cantonments monitored by the United Nations Mission in Nepal.
In yet another decision, the NC jamboree asked the Maoists to return properties seized during the conflict period as agreed in the past while also pressing the government to provide compensation for such properties right from the date of seizure. It likewise demanded that the government recognize as martyrs NC members and others killed during the Maoist insurgency and provide compensation to their families. These individuals were excluded from the list of martyrs prepared by then Maoist-led government early this year.
Meet endorses new statute
The Mahasamiti meeting endorsed a new party statute that has significantly clipped the powers of the party president who will head an 85-member central working committee. It has also ensured inclusiveness in the party´s organization from center to the grassroots, by allocating reservation for women, Dalits, Janjatis/Adivasis and Madhesis.
The decision to clip the president´s power was taken despite vehement opposition from party president Girija Prasad Koirala and his supporters. But they had to finally compromise in the face of overwhelming demand for collective leadership in the party.
Under the present statute, the party president had power to nominate top office-bearers and 50 percent central committee members. But the new statute says the president will have power to nominate only three out of six top posts.One general secretary and treasurers will be elected through general convention while the president will nominate vice president, one general secretary and a joint general secretary. Besides, the party president will be authorized to nominate only 16 central committee members.
Coordinator of the statute drafting committee Krishna Sitaula said that 25 central committee members will be elected directly by the general convention while 14 members each from 14 zones will also be elected directly. Seven (including one to be nominated) central committee member´s posts have been reserved form women, six each for Dalits, Janjati/Adivasi, Madhasi community and two for Muslims.
But women Mahasamiti members were unhappy over the reservation for women. They demanded that the party reserved 33 percent posts, as the present quota is less than 20 percent. But their protest was suppressed. As they were debating with the party leadership at the meeting venue, Acting President Sushil Koirala announced the meeting concluded.
PLEASE DESIST FROM ATTACKING THE WRITER PERSONALLY AND BE RESPECTFUL TO OTHER READERS.
Please give your full name while posting your comments. This is not to stifle the free flow of comments but your full name will enable us to print the comments in our newspaper.
NC Mahasamiti Backs Govt, Urges Constructive Maoist Role Meet Endorses New Statute
Hoorey! Yahoo! Congratulations! Now, NC supporters and cadres got the voice heard in NC CWC. A whimsical President can appoint his daughter as DPM just because he has majority in CWC because he appoints 50% in the CWC. NC has now great hope. It must reach to its constituents and work with people.
Great job. Congratulations RCP and others who tirelessly worked to make it happen.
[more]
![[del.icio.us]](http://images.del.icio.us/static/img/delicious.small.gif){kind=small}
