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Top contenders for UML chair stress on consensus candidate, but claim the post for themselves

A day after the UML's general convention opened in Butwal, three top leaders of the party, who are considered to be frontrunners for the party's new leadership, have said if the party leaders and activists trust them with their support then they will not back away from staking claim to party's chair.

While showing initiatives to claim the party's top post for themselves, the three contenders -- general secretary Jhala Nath Khanal, former general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal and senior leader K.P Sharma Oli - however stressed the need for a "consensus leadership".

Talking to journalists at the convention venue in Butwal today morning, Khanal said that if the ongoing attempts to find a "consensus candidate" for the top post of the party during the 8th general convention of the party fails then it will be selected through "democratic means" i.e. through elections.

Asked if he would withdraw his claim for the chairmanship if it they want it to be "consensus candidate", Khanal carefully said that he is a man who believes in moving forward and not backward.

Asserting that the party needs a new leadership that direct the country into a new path, Khanal said that he would give his candidacy for the top party post after gauging the sentiments of party's leaders and activists.

On Monday, Khanal had inaugurated the party general convention at the splendidly decorated Butwal Mandap by lighting the peace lamp brought from Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Buddha and following rallies from across the town. There was huge presence of party supporters, foreign invitees and top leaders of various political parties.

Meanwhile, former UML gen secy Madhav Kumar Nepal said that all their effort will be focused on forging consensus to elect the new leadership in the party. However, he also alleged that the party is divided into various camps and factions and that the leaders have also not been able to acknowledge their weaknesses.

He also said UML activists have already identified those who tend to gang up with the Maoists and cozy up with congress (Nepali Congress), adding that the party will not remain a second fiddle to any other party now.

Similarly, senior leader K.P Oli said that any responsibility entrusted by the party leaders and activists will be acceptable to him.

He claimed that if all efforts to find the new leadership through consensus fail then finding it though democratic means will be the most appropriate alternative.

Objecting to the remark made by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal at the opening ceremony of UML general convention yesterday that conspiracies were being hatched "to push UML towards regression", Oli said that it is in fact PM Dahal who is keen on doing so to UML.

Claiming that even after the end of UML general convention there will be no changes in the government's make up, he said UML will not bow down to "the forces for status-quo" and "ultra leftist pressures".

Reports said that the three top contenders for the chairmanship held discussion today morning in an effort to find a consensus candidate among themselves.

Meanwhile, the closed door session of UML general convention has started.

The political report of general secretary Khanal, organisational reports and proposal for statute amendment will be presented at the closed door session that is set to start at Butwal Mandap, the venue of the convention, it is learnt.

Reports have it that some UML youth leaders are preparing to submit another political paper as a supplementary to that of Khanal.

During today's close door meeting, Khanal will dissolve the party central committee and announce the formation of a council headed by party chairmanSome twenty groups will be formed to hold discussion on the political paper, it is learnt. nepalnews.com ag Feb 17 09