Siraha: Chairman of the CPN (UML) Jhala Nath Khanal was ready to reconsider the seven-province model of federalism with multiple identities floated by his party.
At a press meet in Siraha on Friday, Khanal said that federalism based on language, geography and ethnicity was not possible.
He said, “See the size of party in the election. The UML is ready to begin fresh debate on federalism.”

Lalbandi (Sarlahi): CPN (UML) chairman Jhalanath Khanal has claimed that his party can only ensure progressive and democratic constitution as per the desire of the people.
Speaking at a programme in Lalbandi Sarlahi today, Khanal criticised Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN (UML) saying that the term of democratic and progressive constitution was not in their dictionary. None of the forces can stop UML from getting majority as there is no any alternative of this, said Khanal.
Stating that the CA polls will be held on the scheduled date, he said that the illusions were being spread by those parties who fear defeat in the upcoming CA polls.

BIRGUNJ: CPN-UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal has said that nobody could stop the Constituent Assembly election declared for November 19.

Addressing a press conference organised by the Press Chautari Nepal, Parsa Chapter here on Friday, he said that people are aspiring for development, freedom and dignity at present and election was the only means to achieve that.

It is the common responsibility of all of us to make the election successful as it is being held to institutionalise the democracy and to draft a federal democratic republican constitution, he said.

Stating that the parties in the High Level Political Committee could be accommodative to the poll-opposing parties including the CPN-Maoist on all other issues except deferring the election date and changing the current government, Khanal appealed to the poll-opposing parties to participate in the election without any precondition for framing a federal democratic constitution.

The UML Chairman said that although political parties might differ on ideology, they should all come together and join hands for drafting a constitution from an elected Constituent Assembly.

NEPALGUNJ: Chairman of the CPN-UML, Jhalanath Khanal, has claimed that his party would be in the first position after the next Constituent Assembly (CA) election. 

At a program organised by the CPN-UML here today, Khanal said that all cadres and leaders of the party have now united, so no one can defeat his party. 

Responding to a query, he said it was wrong to say that the CPN-UML is being weaker after some leaders quit the party. 

Stating that there could be alliance with likeminded parties in some places in CA election, the CPN-UML Chairman said the CA election should be held by mid-December and political parties have no other alternative to it.

He also claimed that Nepali people are now free from the illusion towards the UCPN (Maoist).

KATHMANDU: CPN-UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal has said country should head for fresh elections despite mounting problems. “We have no other option to elections to keep democratic process alive,” the former prime minister said at a program organized to commemorate Nepal’s first communist prime minister late Man Mohan Adhikari.

The Man Mohan Memorial Foundation organized the program in Sanepa this morning to mark the 14^th memorial day of UML’s former Chairman Adhikari.

Khanal said talks and dialogue could resolve the level of misunderstanding among the leaders and political parties.

During the program, speakers, especially from the communist background, praised the contribution to country and communist movement made by late Adhikari.

UML General Secretary Ishwor Pokhrel also spoke on the occasion.

The UML and different organizations are organizing different programs across the country to commemorate late Adhikari.

However, Nepal’s communist leaders at present are blamed for being consumerists and power-hungry.

Late Adhikari served Nepal by becoming prime minister for nine months in 1995 after the CPN-UML bagged more seats in House of Representatives. But, Adhikari-led government was toppled in the hung-parliament after he lost no- vote of confidence floated by Nepali Congress, a key rival of the UML during that time.

KATHMANDU: The politburo meeting of the CPN-UML is meeting this afternoon to discuss the party’s bid for election and other issues.

The meeting is scheduled for at 11:00 am at the party central office Madannagar, Balkhu. Leaders said that the meeting would discuss wide range of issues including party’s position in the national politics, party’s strength and position in the upcoming CA polls.

The meeting would also discuss about nominations in some crucial posts after many leaders from Madhesi and Janajati group including vice-chairman Ashok Rai and Ram Chandra Jha defected the UML.

KATHMANDU: CPN (UML) Chairman Jhalanath Khanal has ruled out the possibilities of the CA polls in June and claimed that November was the best time for holding the CA polls. He however managed time to say that the UML was for holding CA polls in June.

It was not possible to hold fresh polls in June and the CA polls should be held in November as per the four-party consensus. The  UML was for election as early as but holding election was not possible without preparations, Khanal said at a program organized to mark the 34th Memorial Day of Martyr Ratna Kumar Bantawa.

Khanal said that the UML would foil the Maoist party’s dream to bring thirds majority in the CA polls by misusing administrative mechanism that was set by the party’s outgoing government.

KATHMANDU: In its attempt to prevent further damage in the party just ahead of the CA polls created by the party deserters, the CPN-UML has asked its former leaders and carders to join the party terming the UML as the ‘old house’.

Many influential leaders have deserted the UML blaming it as a status-quoist force and not respecting people’s pulse for change.

Last week, CPN (UML) senior leader from Madhes Ram Chandra Jha quitted the party and joined the UCPN (Maoist) while sources said that many leaders from the Madesh are in queues to quit the UML.

However, at a press meeting at the party headquarters on Monday, the top UML leaders urged all communist parties for party unification.

UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal on Monday also reiterated that the CPN-UML was an ocean and a jar of water out from this could do no harm to the party.

Former party Vice-chairman Ashok Rai, influential leaders Rajendra Shrestha, Mangalsiddhi Manandhar, Rakam Chemjong, Bijaya Subba, Rijwan Ansari, Radha Krishna Mainali, Devi Prasad Ojha, Jitendra Dev, Mahendra Yadav, Gopal Thakur and dozens of other leaders have defected the UML and have either formed their own party or have joined other political forces, especially the UCPN (Maoist).

KATHMANDU: CPN (UML) Chairman Jhalanath Khanal has said that there are slim chances of CA elections in June due to UCPN (Maoist)’s unwillingness.

Speaking at a special interaction program organized by the Reporters Club as a part of its campaign for ‘CA Elections for Constitution’ in the capital today, the UML chieftain questioned why the Maoists readied themselves on March 13 to strike a deal if they were willing to hold CA elections by June. “The Maoists would have signed the deal much earlier,” he added.

He reasoned that there are slim chances of conducting elections in June as the issue of citizenship was yet to resolve and laws needed for the same were not prepared while voting machines, installation of CCTV, management of officials and many other issues including political environment were also not conducive for elections.

Club’s Chairman Rishi Dhamala presided over the special interaction program.

Khanal also warned UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda of not to issue threats of not accepting elections in November if CA polls were not conducted in June.

On Sunday, Prachanda had issued a threat at a program in Dhadhing not to accept the CA elections if polls were not conducted in June.

Khanal was of the statement that the CA elections date should not be postponed time and again once announced like before.

Khanal also harboured suspicion to the representation of the UCPN (Maoist) in the new CA claiming that people have noticed the Maoist’s policies, goal, capacity and mystery.

Commenting on UML leader Ram Chandra Jha’s entry in the Maoists, Khanal said it would not harm the UML. “UML is an ocean. Extracting and pouring a mug of water from the ocean makes no difference in its size.”

Khanal also said that the UML was ready to join hands together with the political forces that are in favour of multi-identity federalism and national unity for elections purpose.

On the occasion, Khanal lauded the roles played by the Reporters Club during its 15-year journey.

Club’s Chairman Dhamala pledged to work for strengthening and prosperity of democracy.

KATHMANDU: CPN (UML) Chairman Jhalanath Khanal has said that decision of the CPN-Maoist and some other political parties not to hold talks with the government regarding the upcoming Constituent Assembly (CA) polls was an undemocratic practice.

At a programme today on ‘Contemporary Politics: CPN (UML) and Roles of Intellectuals’ in the capital, Khanal said those skipping talks with the government would be sidelined themselves as all problems should be resolved through talks in a democracy.

Urging the dissenting political parties for talks and elections, the UML chair said the era of brining changes through the violent politics was ended.

During the programme, the intellectuals had expressed concerns to UML leaders’ conflicting and ambiguous statements in a same issue.

In response, Khanal pledged to come up with a univocal statement. “Now onwards all UML leaders would deliver same kind of message. We will be the largest political force in the upcoming CA polls,” Khanal said.