KATHMANDU: The CPN-UML, the coalition partner in the incumbent government, has said it is for ‘correcting’ the recent ordinance for setting up the National Construction Authority.

UML leaders have said they are for making the National Reconstruction Authority ‘a powerful and effective body’.

UML Secretary Krishna Gopal Shrestha said since the party had reached a gentleman’ agreement with the Unified CPN-Maoist that Baburam Bhattarai would lead the National Reconstruction Authority and UML Chairman KP Oli would become the new prime minister, no one should be betrayed.

According to Shrestha, the gentleman’s agreement was reached between UML and UCPN-M when 16-point agreement was reached among four parties.

He said the ordinance would be changed at the earliest, before it is tabled in the Parliament when the budget session begins. The budget session is scheduled to start from June 30.Shrestha said not only the Unified CPN-Maoist, Speaker Subas Chandra Nembang was also against the ordinance, as he was not for bypassing the Parliament, which was scheduled to commence its session in a few days.

UML standing committee meeting’s decision not to bring ordinance to form the National Construction Authority was changed within hours, a day before the Cabinet approved the ordinance.

UML Chairman KP Oli has expressed his dissatisfaction through media over the formation of such a jumbo committee of construction authority through ordinance. He has also said senior UCPN-M leader and former prime minister Baburam Bhattarai could also be given the responsibility of the powerful authority.

UML Secretary Pradip Gyawali said there serious discussions would be held on the shortcomings of the ordinance before it is endorsed (by the Parliament) and corrections would be made in the replacement bill.

Asked whether the UML have had reached any gentleman’s agreement during the 16-point agreement with UCPN-M, Gyawali said Bhattarai had expressed his interest but the two parties did not agreed on an individual. Discussions, however, were held that he could be a candidate to lead the construction authority, he said.

He said necessary changes would be made in the ordinance so as to make the construction authority a powerful body with effective and workable smaller committees.