3 UML leaders to face action

KATHMANDU, Sept 9 - Conceding to pressure from central leaders, CPN (UML) General Secretary Jhala Nath Khanal is set to take disciplinary action against three leaders--Sahana Pradhan, Pradip Nepal and Bhim Rawal. Pradhan and Nepal are party Standing Committee members while Rawal is a central leader.

During the party's ongoing central ...

A UML central leader said, "The General Secretary has assured he will introduce a proposal for appropriate action against the three leaders. He hasn't yet specified the type of action.

Khanal's remarks came following a strong demand by more than a dozen central leaders including Raghu Panta, Urbadutta Panta, Mahendra Pande for action against Pradhan, Nepal and Rawal on the charge of violating party discipline.

Pradhan has been charged with making statements against the party line during the presidential election. Central leaders said that during election, Pradhan had charged that the party leadership had not nominated her for the post of president because she was a woman. Similarly, Nepal has been charged with attending the Olympic Games in China in the capacity of Minister for Youth, Sports and Education even after he had resigned. The central leaders said Nepal's move had tarnished the party's image.

All UML ministers including Nepal had resigned much before the Games.

Rawal is likely to face the axe for his remarks against the party's decision to nominate ministers. Immediately after the party had nominated six ministers for the coalition government, Rawal had strongly protested the party decision in a hurriedly called press conference. Rawal's charge was that the party leadership had ignored inclusiveness and did not nominate anybody from the far western region.