Kathmandu, August 5 :

General secretary of the CPN-UML Madhav Kumar Nepal has proposed the modalities for an alternative to the House of Representatives in his political report presented for discussion at the party’s 12th central committee meeting that kicked off today at the party headquarters in Balkhu.

The meeting began with discussion on suggestions given by the party to the Interim Constitution Drafting Committee, besides approving previous decisions taken by the standing committee. Up to 50 members out of the 65-member body attended the meet.

Standing committee member Jhala Nath Khanal told this daily the meeting, which is expected to last for a week, would discuss, the proposal prepared by a taskforce about restructuring the state, peace process and progressive reforms, eight-point pact between the seven-party alliance and the Maoists, modalities of arms management and nationwide drive for democratic republic.

Khanal said Nepal’s political report analysed the Jana Andolan II, current political situation, performance of the government, peace process and arms management, interim statute, interim government, alternative legislature to the revived House and constituent assembly poll. He said the meeting would finalise the proposed modalities of an alternative legislature.

Nepal has also proposed to hold the party’s eighth national convention not later than the second week of January 2007. A majority of the central committee members are learnt to be for convening the eighth convention at the earliest so the party’s rank and file could be effectively mobilised during the constituent assembly election with an agenda of democratic republic.