Implement 7-point deal: UML chief tells Koirala

The CPN-UML has asked Prime Minister Sushil Koirala to appoint officials at various constitutional bodies and implement the seven-point agreement signed between the coalition partners before he was elected as the chief executive.

UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli met with Koirala on Thursday evening after leaders during the party’s office bearers’ meeting expressed dismay at the government’s performance and demanded the implementation of the seven-point agreement.

In the meeting, UML ministers raised the issue of non-cooperation from the prime minister and demanded that the seven-point agreement be implemented without further delay. UML leaders also complained that efforts taken by Health and Population Minister Khagraj Adhikari for the appointment of officials at the National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS) and Foreign Affairs Minister Mahendra Bahadur Pandey’s bid to fill ambassadorial positions were halted due to non-cooperation from the prime ministerial level.

“Ministers from our party are not allowed to work freely and questions have been raised against government regarding the effectiveness of the government,” UML Secretary Pradeep Gyawali said, adding, “So, our party chief raised this issue with the prime minister and we are reviewing it at the higher level.” According to Gyawali, the Health minister had recommended candidates to be appointed at NAMS some two months ago but the prime minister put the proposal on hold.

He said the party is preparing to review government’s activities at the higher level and discuss them in the context of delay in the implementation of the seven-point deal, particularly the re-endorsement of the President and Vice President.

Oli had left for PM’s residence in Baluwatar in the middle of meeting to discuss the matters with him. UML Vice-chairperson Bam Dev Gautam and Nepali Congress leader Krishna Prasad Sitaula were also present at the meeting in Baluwatar. At the meeting, leaders from both the parties agreed to speed up the constitution writing process and make appointments to various government bodies.

In the absence of political understanding, the government has failed to appoint

26 lawmakers at the Constituent Assembly, fill ambassadorial posts at 16

diplomatic missions and various ministries as well as the health services at Bir Hospital have been affected owing to delay in office bearers’ appointment. The UML has also summoned its ministers to the office bearers’ meeting scheduled for Friday to discuss their work and related obstacles.