Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, February 28:

The CPN-UML is preparing to hold its central committee meeting “soon” to appoint one of the standing committee members as the acting general secretary who will lead the party till general secretary Madhak Kumar Nepal is released from house arrest. Party insiders said that the meeting, the date of which is yet to be fixed, is likely to discuss the present political scenario that unfolded after the February 1 royal takeover. Standing committee member Jhala Nath Khanal, who was assigned to work as the coordinator by the party’s emergency meeting held two days after the royal takeover, is likely to get acting general secretary’s post.“I hope the date of the meeting and its agenda will be finalised at the earliest,” said a central member, requesting anonymity.

Asked whether the party would be allowed to hold the meeting during the state of emergency, the leader said, “The parties have not been banned. So, there should be no reason to restrict their peaceful activities.” The UML has already joined hands with the Nepali Congress, NC (D), Janmorcha Nepal and Nepal Sadbhavana Party (Anandi Devi) to launch a joint movement beginning March 8.