But doesn't go all the way to call for a republic ... the party still appears to be travelling the middle path. --------------------------------------------- NC breaks with history Omits constitutional monarchy from statute http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=50303 By Yuvraj acharya KATHMANDU, Aug 29 - Nepali Congress, the largest and oldest party of the country, on Monday, decided to break with its 59-year old history by omitting constitutional monarchy from its party statute. The party's Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting held on the eve of its 11th General Convention, finalized a policy paper that officially cuts off the party's relations with the country's 237-year-old institution, the monarchy. The CWC decided to delete "constitutional monarchy" from Clause 2 of the party statute that earlier stated the party's main objective as establishment of a just and dynamic society within a framework of constitutional monarchy, multiparty system and parliamentary form of government. The amended clause also talks about restructuring the state and implementing inclusive democracy to create a just society. The amendment will be presented before the general convention, which begins Tuesday, for endorsement. The party has also amended its statute which earlier mentioned constitutional monarchy as its pride. Now the statute mentions constitutional monarchy as a past glory. The NC decision, along with a decision by CPN-UML last week to go for democratic republic, marks the beginning of a new polarization toward republicanism in the country. Ram Chandra Poudel, who tabled the amendment proposal in the party's CWC as the head of the Policy and Program Department, said the term was simply removed from the party statute since the king himself embarked on an unconstitutional path and continued to reject the idea of staying within constitutional bounds. All but two CWC members opposed the amendment. Senior NC leader Shailaja Acharya and Nara Hari Acharya wrote notes of dissent. Shailaja said she was absolutely against the idea of omitting constitutional monarchy from the party statute. "I am not in favor of deviating from our decades old middle-path," Acharya said. "It will be counterproductive not only for the party but also for the entire nation." She demanded her statement be recorded in the party and walked out of the meeting. "We all, including the king, failed in our duty, but the constitution has not, so there is no need to attack the constitution," said Acharya. She also argued that dropping monarchy from the party statute meant declaring the present constitution dead. Narahari Acharya wrote a dissenting note for a different reason. He argued that the party should have decided unambiguously in favor of establishing supremacy of parliament under people's sovereignty. The CWC meeting also endorsed a number of agendas including putting the army under a representative institution, socio-economic reforms and constituent assembly elections for making people sovereign in the real sense. The party also urged Maoist rebels for clear commitment to lay down arms before the constituent assembly elections. It also urged the king to let the people decide what sort of role they want for the monarch. Convention opening session at Jawalakhel The NC is beginning its 11th general general convention at Jawalakhel playground Tuesday afternoon as the government denied permission for BICC and Mangal Bazaar yard. More than 95 percent of the 1464 delegates (seven each from 205 constituencies and central committee members) have arrived at the party central office for the general convention that begins Tuesday. As per the party statute, the central president can nominate up to 30 representatives to the convention but he has not nominated anyone as of yet. About 100 leaders have so far expressed their interest to contest for 8 central committee seats. According to the party statute, NC convention elects half of its central committee members and half are nominated by the newly elected president. Party President, Girija Prasad Koirala, will contest the party presidency for a third consecutive term, though he has not yet announced his candidacy. Narahari Acharya has already announced his candidacy for the party's top post. Late BP Koirala's youngest son, Dr Sashanka Koirala, has announced his candidacy for central committee member. He said, he would carry new sentiments of the youth leaders and concentrate on resolving the present conflict. The CWC meeting has not proposed any significant changes in the party's organizational structure that gives enormous power to the party's central president. Meanwhile, Speaker Tara Nath Ranabhat has urged the party to take initiatives for party unity, ensure international democracy, restore collective leadership and take initiative to pave an active role for former prime minister KP Bhattarai in the party. Existing Clause 2 Based on the principles of nationalism, democracy and socialism and within the framework of constitutional monarchy, multiparty system and parliamentary form of government, the NC aspires to achieve socio-political and economic development of the country by creating a just and dynamic society. Amended Clause 2 Based on the principles of nationalism, democracy and socialism and within the framework of multiparty system and parliamentary form of government, the NC aspires to achieve socio-political and economic development of the country and create a dynamic and just society by restructuring the state and implementing the concept of inclusive democracy.