KATHMANDU, JUL 22 - While the party has already accepted a House-elected prime minister as the head of government in the new set-up, a section of youth leaders from the ruling CPN-UML are swimming against the tide to demand a directly-elected executive as the head of government.
Standing Committee member Shankar Pokharel and Secretary Yogesh Bhattarai on Tuesday submitted their separate suggestions to CA Chairman Subas Nembang to provision directly-elected PM as the executive head in the new constitution.
“Considering various aspects of leadership development, it would be better to have a direct-elected executive, instead of the House-elected prime minister, as the head of government,” states a 16-point suggestion submitted by the Bhattarai-led Madan Bhandari Study Centre.
Disagreeing with the party’s stance on key constitutional disputes, Bhattarai, the UML spokesman, submitted his differences to the CA chairman under the banner of the Study Centre. Another youth leader Thakur Gaire seconded the views as the Centre’s secretary. The Centre, an independent platform, was formed with a view to expanding the ideology of the party’s late general secretary Madan Bhandari. Asked about his move, Bhattarai said that he was free to put forth his views as the head of an independent organisation and as a commoner.
“The CA chairman appreciated our suggestions and promised to promulgate the new constitution by early August,” said Bhattarai.
The draft constitution provisions a House-elected PM, and a ceremonial President as the head of state. In its manifestos for two CA elections held in 2008 and 2013, the UML proposed directly-elected PM as the executive head against the Nepali Congress’ idea of continuing with the House-elected PM as the head of government while the UCPN (Maoist) advocated direct-elected President as the chief executive.
Both the UML and the Maoists compromised on their stances while four major political forces--NC, UML, UCPN (M) and Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum-Loktantrik--agreed to the Westminster model in the 16-point deal signed on June 8.
Still, differences persist among the parties on the forms of government with youth leaders piling pressure on the party leadership to go for a directly elected executive head. They argue that only such a government head can end political instability, mainly frequent changes in government.
Pokharel argues that a PM elected on a weak foundation (Parliament) would be unable to perform well. “Governments will fall victim to political instability,” Pokharel said in his 29-point document submitted to Nembang.
Pokharel also suggests a central Parliament comprising directly-elected people’s representatives. Bhattarai has suggested minimum 5 percent votes to get the status of a national party and seats in Parliament. His other suggestions include reappointment of constitutional body members, and less than eight states that are mentioned in the 16-point pact. He argues that many provinces would not be economically viable. Besides, he wants the provinces interlinked between regions and geographical regions “to safeguard national integrity and sovereignty”.
Posted on: 2015-07-22 08:16
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