Vice Chairman Gautam suggests removing title of senior leader from UML statute

KATHMANDU: UML Vice Chairman Bam Dev Gautam has proposed eliminating the title of senior leader from the party’s statute.

During an informal discussion organized by UML Chairman KP Oli on party’s legislation Sunday, Gautam suggested that the party statute should provision for only party office-bearers, including chairperson and vice chairperson.

Stating that the provision of senior leader’s title created base for factionalism in the party and hindered the workings of the chairman who gets elected from the party’s general convention, Gautam suggested to remove the provision of senior leader’s post from the party legislation.

Currently as per UML legislation, an outgoing chairman gets the senior leader’s title and holds second position in the order of precedence after party chairman. As such, Jhala Nath Khanal is the senior leader in the party. However, Madhav Kumar Nepal is also recognized as a senior leader. Gautam objected to leader Nepal being recognized as senior leader at present.

Other UML leaders also supported Gautam’s arguments on the title of senior leader in the party.

UML Chairman Oli is collecting suggestions for holding the party legislative assembly in near future.