Big 4 challenge SC order, vow to expedite statute drafting

KATHMANDU, June 20: Within hours after the Supreme Court (SC) stayed implementation of the 16 point deaal, top leaders of four major political parties have vowed to continue the task of statute drafting based on the deal reached among them despite the court's order.


"In connection with writing the new constitution, the Constituent Assembly is independent and efficient and it is self evident that the CA's decision is the final decision in constitution making," read the statement issued after the four-party meeting.

The statement is undersigned by Nepali Congress Vice-president Ram Chandra Paudel, Acting Chairman Bamdev Gautam of CPN-UML, Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal of UCPN (Maoist) and Chairman Bijay Kumar Gachchhadar of Madhesi People's Rights Forum-Democratic (MPRF-D).

The four political parties have said it is the CA's sovereign right to decide what type of constitution to make and how to make it. "No one can challenge this fact in any way," read the statement. "The CA itself is to determine the constitution making procedures and no question can be raised anywhere on this matter."

The parties have said the apex court's order is against the people's sovereign right to make constitution from a Constituent Assembly, against the principle of separation of powers (between the three organs of the state) and the CA's prerogative bestowed by the Interim Constitution-2007.

Hailing the 16-point agreement as a very important political deal, the parties have vowed to continue the constitution making process based on the same accord.

"Therefore, we reaffirm that we would produce the new constitution soon," it said. "The meeting has also decided to file a motion at the SC demanding a review of its order," said UCPN (Maoist) lawmaker Ram Narayan Bidari, who was present at the meeting.

The top leaders invited three lawyer-turned lawmakers -- NC's Ramesh Lekhak, UML's Agni Kharel and Bidari of the UCPN (Maoist) -- at the meeting to discuss the matter.

UML Secretary Pradeep Gyawali said his party has taken the court's order as a "politically motivated reaction."

Similarly, UCPN (Maoist) leaders at the meeting described it as "a grand design plotted by those who are against producing a new constitution from the CA."

Chairman of Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal, Kamal Thapa, said the order has raised a question on the CA' sovereign right.

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