However, the meeting has not suggested for how long the CA´s term should be stretched out. [break]
"The constitution can´t be drafted by May 28 at any cost. The UML is very clear about this," UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal told reporters after the conclusion of the meeting.
Asked if the meeting had recommended extension of the CA´s tenure, he said, "The PP meeting requested the UML party for that."
According to him, the PP also urged the party that the leadership take serious initiatives toward forging consensus for resolving the protracted political deadlock.
The PP advised the party to talk to other political parties regarding formation of a national consensus government. "The meeting suggested the party talk to other political parties in this connection," UML Chief Whip Bhim Acharya said.
Altogether 72 of the total 109 UML lawmakers put forth their views at the meeting that ran for five days starting April 10.
- I abide by party decision: PM
- CC not PP the final authority: Chairman Khanal
- Have you pondered what precedent might be established by a signature campaign?: PM
- Party to take initiative for consensus govt
After listening to the lawmakers´ opinions about delivery by the government, constitution making and the peace process, among other issues, Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, Home Minister Bhim Rawal and Finance Minister Surendra Pandey responded to queries raised by the lawmakers.
During the meeting, some members had demanded resignation of the prime minister on the ground that the government´s failure to produce the constitution and conclude the peace process on time would not only disparage the image of the prime minister and ministers but also cause harm to the party.
I abide by party decision: PM
Prime Minister Madhav Nepal speaking at the CPN-UML parliamentary party meeting on Monday urged his party´s lawmakers to be more objective and realistic while criticizing the government.
"I became prime minister not merely out of my personal wish. I accepted the offer only after the UML and other political parties proposed me as a prime ministerial candidate as there was a political void," members present at the meeting quoted him as saying. "As a disciplined member of the party I abide by the party decision."
On the signature campaign that was launched by some dissident UML lawmakers against him, the prime minister asked them about the possible consequences such a move might invite in the party. "Any other leader may become prime minister in future. What will happen if members do likewise in future?"
CC not PP the final authority: Chairman
Party Chairman Khanal made it clear that the decision of the party´s central committee (CC) becomes final, not that of the PP. He had to make that clear after some lawmakers claimed that the PP should be decisive in the formation and dissolution of the government.
"The PP is not a greater authority than the CC. The party´s central body can take the final decision," a member quoted the chairman as saying at the meeting.
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