ILLAM: Chairman of CPN-UML Jhalanath Khanal today said that the UCPN-Maoist could not be the people’s party, like other political parties, until the rehabilitation of its PLA fighters.

Speaking at the inaugural function of the eighth district convention of his party here in Ilam, Khanal said that unity among the parties should be strengthened so as to change the

UCPN-M into a “party of unarmed civilians”.

“The UCPN-Maoist is so far an armed party. Hence, all other parties should work collectively to make it the party of the civilians,’’ he said.

Urging the Maoists to put an end to the anarchic activities, the UML chief asserted that hooliganism was not the identity of the communists but of the mandales. He also claimed that the parties would not be able to draft the new statue within the stipulated time if the three major parties - Nepali Congress, UML and Maoists -- could not forge consensus. Khanal also warned that the CA and the present government would lose their significance if the constitution could not be drafted within the deadline.

“The country will enter into a conflict if the statue is failed to be drafted within the timeframe,’’ he said, adding that all stakeholders should be determined to draft the constituent within the May 10 deadline.

He also blamed “some leaders” of the major political parties for having no clear vision regarding various political issues. He reiterated that his party was always ready to move ahead with consensus.

The convention, which is slated to be wrapped up on Saturday, will elect new leadership in the district. Altogether, 738 representatives are participating in the conference.