Will finalize report on interim statute, political document within March 9: Rawal

KATHMANDU, Feb 27: CPN-UML Vice-Chairman Bhim Rawal has said that the party unification task forces will finalize report on the new party’s interim statute and political document within March 9. He added the two parties will probably announce unification in mid-March.

The two ruling parties UML and CPN (Maoist Center) signed a seven-point unification deal on February 19, which leaders of both parties have termed as the primary basis for the merger process. Following the agreement, the two-in unity process- parties also formed two separate task forces to finalize the organizational structure and political guideline of the new party-Nepal Communist Party.

Prime Minister and UMl Chair K P Sharma Oli and Maoist Center Chair, two days later, directed the task forces to prepare and submit their report before March 9.

“The report on interim statute and political principle of the new party will be finalized before March 9. Then we will announce merger,” said Rawal, a member of the task force formed to finalize political guideline of the party, at an interaction program organized by the Reporters’ Club Nepal on Tuesday. UML’s Madhav Kumar Nepal, Subash Nembang, Pradip Gyawali and Raghuji Panta and Maoist Center’s Narayan Kaji Shrestha, Dev Gurung, Shakti Basnet, Pampha Bhusal and Devendra Poudel are in the task force.

Likewise, another task force, formed to finalize the organizational structure of the new party includes UML’s Ishwor Pokhrel, Bishnu Poudel, Gokarna Bista, Beduram Bhusal, Raghubir Mahaseth and Maoist Center’s Ram Bahadur Thapa, Girirajmanio Pokhrel, Barsaman Pun and Janardan Sharma.

“After the report is prepared, a final homework will be done. Then we will announce unification…perhaps in the first week of March. If not… then, in the second week,” added Rawal.

Rawal also said that the cabinet will get full shape as soon as possible. He said that Prime Minister Oli is holding negotiation with Federal Socialist Forum Nepal Chair Upendra Yadav in bid to bring his party into the government.

“It will be better if FSFN joins us in the government. Bringing as many parties into confidence strengthens national unity,” said Rawal.

However, he said that the cabinet will be expanded even if FSFN Chair Yadav denies participating in the government.

He added, “We cannot dally in giving full shape to the government as time is running out. We are already late. The government formed finally after 70 days of completion of election. The budget for the next fiscal year has to be announced.”

Rawal expressed his confidence that appointment of a monetary economist Yuba Raj Khatiwada as the finance minister of Nepal will help the Oli-led government meet its purpose of economic prosperity.

Rawal also clarified that no decisions or agreement have been made regarding Presidential position.