Kathmandu, September 21

As Nepal’s principal opposition party CPN-UML leaders gather in Kathmandu on Wednesday for their Central Committee meeting, Chairman Oli has been giving finishing touches to a 32-page-long dossier on the recent political developments in the country.

Oli was Nepal’s Prime Minister until August this year, when his alliance partner CPN-Maoist Centre decided to pull out of the government accusing the UML of not abiding by a gentleman’s agreement over sharing of power.

The UML chief, in his report, presents a tough stance on the government’s bid to amend the constitution to ‘accommodate’ the demands of the Madhesh-based parties. “The constitution is a dynamic document, and it can be amended in the interest of the country or its people. But it cannot be amended without there being a reason to amend it,” Oli says in the report.

Here we look at five things Oli wants to tell his party leaders:

1.

No to constitution amendment

Oli, in his report, alleges that some forces are out to add fuel to the conflict in Nepal in the name of changing provincial boundaries. Oli says, “After the UML left the government, attempts have been made to stoke communal hatred and conflict. In the name of revising provincial boundaries, attempts are being made to promote violence and extremism in the country.”

Oli says, in this context, it would be up to his party to protect the constitution and press for elections before a deadline set by the constitution.

2.

No comparison between India and China

 

In his dossier, former Prime Minister Oli says there can be no comparison between Nepal’s ties with China and that with India. Oli criticises Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal for agreeing to include issues related to Nepal’s constitution in the joint statement issued after the India-Nepal summit meeting last week. He has also drawn the party’s attention to the government’s decision to co-operate with India on the issue of international relations.

3.

Was ready to make Prachanda Prime Minister

The UML chairman in his report says he was ready to offer Prachanda premiership, but he declined the offer to form an alliance with Nepali Congress. Oli says the Maoists had to leave the alliance because they were afraid of the UML’s growing popularity. Oli says the UML is popular among the people because it put up resistance against the Madheshi movement and the Indian blockade.

4.

Sorry comrades

In his document, Oli spends some time trying to appease leaders of rival camps in his own party. He says that he had been busy, and was unable to ‘give time’ to some of the party’s comrades. “I shall consult more with our comrades in the days to come,” he says in a veiled reference to Madhav Nepal, Jhalanath Khanal and Bamdev Gutam.

5.

Let people know the truth about Maoists

Oli proposes that his party run a nationwide campaign to make the people aware about the ‘true face’ of the Maoists. He says he wants the campaign to press the government to hold elections on time, and to encourage local leaders to join the UML party.