Kathmandu, June 18

Member of Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal Presidium Rajendra Mahato today proposed in its political committee meeting that unsettled issues should be settled by the political committee.

According to party sources, Mahato said the presidium’s failure to take decisions in time had tarnished the image of the party and adversely impacted the party’s functioning. This could be rectified if unsettled issues were settled by the 34-member political committee of the party. As per the rule, the presidium needs to take all decisions unanimously.

Mahato also said the meeting should clarify its position about joining or not joining the government. The source said that Mahato told the meeting that the party should join the government only after the government expressed its commitment to amend the constitution within a stipulated timeframe, withdraw false cases filed against party cadres and enable party lawmaker Resham Chaudhary to take the oath of office and secrecy. Chaudhary who was indicted in Tikapur killing is in judicial custody now.

Mahato also told the meeting that the party should immediately endorse its parliamentary party statute and elect a new parliamentary party leader as soon as possible.

Mahato also told the meeting that the party should seek six months extension for holding its general convention. The Election Commission has asked the RJP-N to hold its general convention by mid-July.

Party sources also said another member of the presidium Mahantha Thakur told the meeting that they should decide on whether or not the party should join the government. He said the party could join the government, but the government must address the party’s demands. He told the meet that the government had urged the party to join the government but it had not held an official dialogue on the conditions put forth by party leaders for joining the government.