 |
Kathmandu Friday January 19, 2001 Magh 06, 2057.
|
CWC
amends statute
Limits party president’s terms of office
By Ameet Dhakal and Meena Kaini
POKHARA, Jan 18 - Nepali Congress Central
Working Committee (CWC) meeting held here today, on the eve of its 10th general convention
took a crucial decision to restrict the tenure of the party president to two terms at
maximum.
The CWC meeting held this afternoon at Kaski
District Party Office also decided to amend the party statute for the purpose. A closed
session meeting of the convention representatives is expected to endorse the CWC decision
tomorrow evening.
However, the meeting rejected senior leader
Sailaja Acharya’s proposal, which opposes the provision for electing 18 CWC members
through general convention. The new draft of the party statute has proposed to elect of 18
CWC members through the general convention against the past practice of electing only 5
members from each of the five development regions.
The meeting also formed two committees to
recommend correction on the political report presented by party general secretary Sushil
Koirala and special code of conduct for party leaders prepared by K B Gurung. The first
committee comprises Sushil Koirala, Ram Chandra Poudel, Mahesh Acharya, Tara Nath Ranabhat
and Chiranjivi Wagle. Likewise, the second committee comprises Speaker Tara Nath Ranabhat,
K B Gurung, Dr Ram Sharan Mahat and Chiranjivi Wagle.
Though the voting for the CWC members and party
president is scheduled for January 22, the election fever is already high. Over 75 party
members have already declared their candidacy. The prospective contenders for CWC were
seen canvassing nervously. Party cadres expect the list to stretch further before it will
shrink eventually. The date for filing candidacy has been set for January 20.
The final number of candidates for the CWC will
depend upon whether the two contesting factions would choose to contest panel-wise. Prime
Minister Girija Prasad Koirala’s only challenger for the coveted post of the party
president, former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, talking to The Kathmandu Post said
his faction would decide on the matter after extensive discussion. However, Prime Minister
Girija Prasad Koirala refused to comment on the issue. "Don’t ask me about
this," said Koirala.
Party insiders say the final contest could be on
panel basis. The only question is whether the candidacy and the campaigning would be made
open.
Former Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai,
who was in his normal jolly mood, told the reporters that anyone who has his support would
win the party presidency. "And Sher Bahadur Deuba has my support," he said.
Deputy Prime Minister Ram Chandra Poudel also
held a meeting with the reporters and told that he would not stand for any panel. "I
have always remained independent for the betterment of the party and will maintain my
independent posture," he said.
He also opposed the election of CWC members on
panel-basis.
"Such election would only sideline the
devoted party workers." Poudel also said that he would contest for the post of CWC.
Meanwhile, PM Koirala today nominated 27 members
as the convention representatives. According to the party statute, the setting president
can elect up to 30 convention representatives. Those nominated today include NC leaders
Yog Prasad Upadhyay, Chirajivi Rijal and Giriraj Kumari Prasai.
At a tea-party organised by Nepal Student’s
Union, Kaski, Deuba told that he gave his candidacy to, "strengthen Koirala’s
hand."
"Since Koirala has not been able to handle
both the positions, he should relinquish either of the position," said Deuba.
"And I am here to support Koirala in all his endeavours."
The 10th Convention of the party will begin at
the local Stadium on Friday where organizers expect upto 50,000 to attend the inaugural
session.
Following the inauguration, the 1,477
representatives plus the 30 nominated by party president will meet at close sessions and
on Monday they will elect the party president and the 18 CWC members.
Other Stories
|
