Kathmandu, January 14:

The 23rd central committee meeting of the CPN-UML that concluded on Sunday adopted the People’s Multiparty Democracy (PMPD) as the party’s principle guideline and stressed the need to enrich it in the changed political scenario in the country.

The meeting held for a week was convened to discuss the political report to be presented during the party’s upcoming eighth general convention, amendment to the party statute, delegates to the convention and preparation for the convention. The convention is being held in Butwal from February 16 to 21.

According to the amendment made to the party statute, there will be multiple posts — such as president, vice-president, general secretary and secretary — in its rank and file. It has proposed a two-term tenure for the chief executive post of the party.

The meeting underscored the need to bring the ongoing peace process to a logical conclusion, give top priority to statute drafting and implement the Common Minimum Programme of the coalition government.

During the weeklong meeting, almost all the central leaders had criticised the Prime Minister for being confused about several key issues.

They had also rebuked the Maoists for not abiding by the agreements reached in the past, not returning the seized property and not ending the paramilitary structure of the Young Communist League.

A press statement issued by the party today stated that the central leaders had even suggested quitting the government if the Maoists didn’t mend their ways.

Concluding the meeting, general secretary Jhala Nath Khanal said PMPD had played an important role for the development of communist movement in Nepal and those who

raised arms also had to follow the path shown by PMPD. He also said the suggestions made by the leaders would be incorporated in the political report.

The meeting also passed an 11-point resolution that calls upon all parties concerned, among others, to draft a new constitution on time and forge consensus among the parties.