Kathmandu, February 20:

Central committee members of the main opposition Nepali Congress today expressed grave dissatisfaction over the party leadership for not implementing decisions taken by earlier central meeting held some five months ago.

Putting forth their views at the meeting that started today, they accused the leadership of not fixing a date for party’s general convention, not resolving disputes within the party committees from centre to district and local levels, not developing party’s views on the issues to be specified in the new constitution and not forming central work performance committee and different departments of the party, among others.

The party will have to hold its 12th general convention by September 6, as per the decision taken by the central meeting held on September 6 last year.

The central members also demanded the party leadership to present reports on the status of the implementation of decision taken by the previous meeting in tomorrow’s meeting. They also accused the leadership of calling the meeting without setting any agenda for discussion. The meeting has been postponed till 11 am tomorrow.

The meeting approved the amended statute of the NC’s Parliamentary Party, paving way for the election of the parliamentary leader of the party. Chief whip Laxman Prasad Ghimire said election for the parliamentary party leader might be held by the end of March.

The parliamentary party meeting on February 4 had amended the statute, creating a post for deputy leader. As per the amended provision, the parliamentary

party leader will nominate the deputy leader, which has to be approved by the parliamentary party meeting. Besides, the statute has also incorporated provision for the inclusive formation of the parliamentary party working committee. The statute has also specified

that women should get at least one of the four parliamentary party posts — leader, deputy leader, chief whip and whip.

Party president Girija Prasad Koirala and leader Sher Bahadur Deuba were not present in today’s meeting.

In today’s meeting, central member Govindaraj Joshi presented a 22-page proposal on party mobilisation and its future strategy. Joshi’s document assessed NC’s failure in making the Maoists implement the 12-point agreement as major weakness of the party.

“We shouldn’t cooperate with the Maoists as they have already breached the past agreements,” he said. He also suggested the party to adopt a policy on mobilising party’s youth organisations to defend the attacks from left forces. Joshi’s document also suggested the party to embrace group leadership and give up the unitary one. Central members Laxman Prasad Ghimire, Narahari Acharya, Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat, Chitra Lekha Yadav and Dip Kumar Upadhaya, among others, spoke on party’s future strategy. Some members criticised the party leadership for its weak performance in national politics.

However, party leaders expressed divided views on the formation of local bodies. While Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat stressed on nomination in local bodies, Mahesh Acharya was adamant on holding elections.