The party leaders made the move as some of the influential leaders including party Vice-chairman Ashok Rai and Prithivi Subba Gurung, Bijay Subba, Ram Chandra Jha, Rajendra Shrestha and Rijwan Ansari boycotted the party´s two-day national conclave that concluded Wednesday in Kathmandu.[break]
The dissident leaders have been refusing to attend central committee, politburo and standing committee meetings in recent days, showing their strong reservations over the party leaders´ refusal to delineate federal provinces solely on the basis of ethnic identity.
The leaders, at a press conference on Wednesday, claimed that party representatives gathered from across the country have suggested to the party leadership to shun state restructuring based on single-ethnic identity.
"The conclusion of the group discussions was that the country should not be plunged into ethnic conflict nor the provinces delineated on the basis of single-ethnic identity," said the statement issued at the press meet. "The representatives also suggested that the party members seek a solution for their grievances from within the party´s legitimate bodies."
Party Chairman Jhalanath Khanal said they are in contact with the dissident leaders including Vice-chairman Rai and talks are taking place though they are not attending the meetings in person.
"We are still holding telephonic conversations with them and, if need be, we will ask them why they are not attending the meetings," Khanal told reporters.
The party has said that the exit of the present government and formation of a national consensus government can be the starting point for ending the ongoing political imbroglio.
"We can discuss various alternatives [CA reinstatement, fresh polls or others] to end the present political as well as constitutional crisis," said Khanal.
The CPN-UML has criticized the caretaker government, saying it seeks to run the country by taking crucial decisions through ordinance and without forging political consensus.
In its 18-point proposal approved by the two-day meet in the capital, the party opposed the government move to carry out its work through ordinance. Two anti-money laundering ordinances were earlier promulgated by the president as recommended by the government.
The opposition party also flayed the government for deciding to transfer high-ranking police officers in contravention with the code of conduct for elections mandated by the Election Commission.
On Monday, the cabinet had decided to transfer five Nepal police additional inspector generals (AIGs) and 19 deputy inspector generals (DIGs). It has also slammed a cabinet decision to demote the acting general manager of state-run Nepal Television.
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