Leaders divided over federalism

THT Online

KATHMANDU: The leaders of the political parties on Wednesday were divided over the form of governance once the country adopts federalism. During a meeting of Determination of Forms of the Governance of State, a committee under the CA, parliamentary party leader of Nepali Congress, Ram Chandra Poudel, said that his party was in favour of a constitutional President and an executive Prime Minister in federalism.

Poudel further opined that the President be elected through the state assembly and the Prime Minister through the central parliament with the latter responsible for the activities of the government. Whoever will be able to garner majority in the parliament in the mixed elections as in the CA election would be eligible and legitimate to lead the government, Poudel said. The Nepali Congress stresses on the parliamentary form of democracy to foil any attempts of autocratic rule in the country and ensure the check and balance in state power, said Poudel.

Contrary to Poudel’s opinions, vice chairman of UCPN-Maoist, Dr. Baburam Bhattarai said his party was in favour of a directly elected executive President and a less powerful Prime Minister. Bhattarai also stressed on the concept of full proportional system of election. However, UML leader Bharat Mohan Adhikari said his party wants the President be elected by federal and central assemblies and stressed on the mixed election system.

The committee had asked the senior leaders of the parties to attend today’s meeting to render the parties’ views on the form of governance of the country in federalism. The meeting which is scheduled for Friday will be discussing the issues furthermore.