CPN-Maoist Centre roots for directly elected president
Kathmandu, July 23
The CPN-Maoist Centre stressed on directly elected president and proportionally elected prime minister from the Parliament.
Addressing a press meet organised to unveil the CPN-MC Secretariat decision today at the party’s headquarters in Parisdanda, Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal said that only directly elected president and a prime minister elected from the Parliament could guarantee stability and prosperity in the country.
“In the last one decade 10 governments have changed,” said Dahal, adding that frequent change in government was one of the main reasons behind instability in the country. He said his party had championed the cause of directly elected president in the past and the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML had also accepted this during the first Constituent Assembly elections.
According to Dahal, the NC and UML had withdrawn the idea of directly elected president after they became the largest and second largest parties in the second Constituent Assembly election.
Dahal further said that development and economic prosperity could be ensured only by a strong government, which can rule for at least for five years. “Our party’s chances of winning in direct presidential election has is slim. So, the NC and UML should think positively about our proposal,” added Dahal. He said his party would discuss with the NC and UML about the decision.
Saying that some candidates had spent up to Rs 50 to 70 million in the local level elections, Dahal said the days are not far when smugglers and brokers will investing in candidates and the elected candidates will serve the interest of these people. He said contesting elections have become too costly for middle class people, and directly elected presidential system was needed to check such irregularities.
The CPN-MC Secretariat also decided to appeal to Baburam Bhattarai, Netra Bikram Chand and Mohan Baidhya to unify with the mother party.
The Secretariat meeting had reviewed the result of the first and second phase elections.