KASKI: Chairperson of the CPN (Maoist Centre) Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has emphasized the need for a directly elected executive presidential system in Nepal.
Speaking at a gathering in Pokhara under the party’s “People’s Awakening Campaign for the Mid-Hill Highway,” Dahal said that the campaign also aims to educate and mobilize the public in favor of an executive presidential system.
“When the constitution was drafted through the Constituent Assembly, we had already warned that the current system would not bring political stability or economic prosperity,” Dahal stated. “We currently have a republic of one type and an electoral system of another. Now, we must prepare the people for a directly elected executive structure.”
He recalled that during the constitution drafting process, he advocated for a directly elected executive system but withdrew from that position with a note of dissent to avoid stalling the constitution’s promulgation.
Dahal also expressed confidence that the Maoist Centre is now positioned to emerge as the largest party in the upcoming elections.
“For stability and good governance, the Maoist party must lead the campaign for transformation,” he said. “We’ve started this from the leadership level, and everyone should engage in self-reflection. The awakening campaign is part of our dream to lay the foundation for socialist transformation. Though the constitution envisions a socialist-oriented system, it lacks clarity, so we are reaching out to the people to raise awareness.”
At the event, Senior Vice-Chair Narayan Kaji Shrestha urged the public to embrace the Maoist agenda of social justice, economic prosperity, and good governance. General Secretary Dev Gurung added that the party would pressure the government to expedite the remaining construction work on the Mid-Hill Highway, a project initiated under Maoist leadership.
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