In a parliamentary party meeting, they argued that the government has failed to expedite the constitution writing process and take the peace process forward and it should pave way for forming a new government with the UCPN (Maoist) on board. [break]
Majority of 16 parliamentarians who spoke in the meeting advised the prime minister that stepping down would be in the interest of the nation, the UML and Nepal himself.
According to a member present in the meeting, among those pressing Nepal to step down were Yam Lal Kandel, Ravindra Adhikari, Yuvraj Karki, Rizwan Ansari and Radha Gyawali.
Also, Ram Nath Dhakal, Bijay Poudel, Gopal Thakur, Pradyumna Chauhan and Sarala Yadav suggested the prime minister to quit so as to save his own image. Sita Poudel and Najir Miya had spoken in favor of the government while Dipak Karki and Krishna Prasad Sapkota maintained neutrality.
Adhikari pressed the UML leadership to take an immediate action to change the government. "We have very few days left for constitution. We must create an environment to forge consensus among the major parties. Otherwise we have to be prepared to follow an unconstitutional course. At that time we will be in a vicious circle of a series of problems," Adhikari told the meeting.
Ansari urged the prime minister not to stick to power at the cost of the nation. "The country is on the verge of a serious crisis. Either you can save your government or the country. I suggest you to opt to saving the country not the government," a member quoted Ansari as saying.
Even those who were believed to be closed to Nepal argued that failing to conclude the peace process and produce new constitution on time will only tarnish the image of Nepal himself and will cause damage for the party as well.
"Therefore, it would be a wise move to quit the government immediately," a member summed up as a common opinion from the majority of those who spoke in the meeting.
However, those loyal to Nepal argued that dissolution of the government alone wouldn´t suffice to forging consensus.
The Standing Committee members also attended the meeting as invitee members.
The lawmakers also fiercely criticized the government over its decision on Machine Readable Passports.
The meeting will continue on Sunday morning. In a bid to keep the meeting secret, the meeting was held in the old parliament hall instead of its own parliamentary party hall.
thira@myrepublica.com
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