The CC members also emphasized the need for coming up with a clear vision and maps about the number and delineation of provinces in the new federal system.
“Most of the members´ emphasis was on economic prosperity, clarity on federal model and the party´s internal unity,” the party´s spokesman Pradeep Gyawali told Republica. “They also emphasized on coining attractive slogans for the election.”[break]
The UML had some months ago decided to stand for a seven-province model. The party had then decided to advocate for combination of multiple identities or common identity as the main basis for delineation of provinces.
“An overwhelming majority of the party members are still for the same idea. They only want further clarity on that,” said Gyawali.
A large group of leaders led by then vice-chairperson Ashok Rai had last year quit the party to form Federal Socialist Party Nepal after having serious differences with the party establishment over the model of federalism.
While the Rai-led group lobbied for single-ethnic-identity-based federal model, the party establishment stood for delineation of provinces based on the combination of multiple ethnic identities or common identity.
According to Gyawali, party members while airing their views advised the leaders to put in their best efforts till the end to bring the Baidya-led CPN-Maoist on board the election process.
On intra-party unity, the members had criticized the top leaders for promoting factions in the party organization and its sister wings. The UML´s sister organizations including those related to youth, students, workers and women among others have been marred by parallel organizations protected by top leaders including party Chairman Jhalanath Khanal, Madhav Nepal and KP Oli.
“Many friends had said at the meeting that the top leaders´ factional attitude had demoralized the party rank and file,” said Gyawali.
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