Addressing the CA meeting on Wednesday, chiefs of major political parties, including Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, maintained that differences can be resolved through dialogue as constitution itself is a document of compromise among political forces.
Hinting at the boycott of the CA meeting by three Madhes-based political parties, they said any solution can't be found by avoiding talks. For some weeks, lawmakers from the Federal Socialist Forum Nepal, Tarai Madhes Democratic Party and Tarai Madhes Shadbhavana Party have been walking out of the CA meeting after allowing a representative to air their views in a show of protest against the proposed provincial boundaries.
PM Koirala, who is also the president of Nepali Congress (NC), CPN-UML Chairman KP Oli, UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Madhesi People's Right Forum Democratic (MPRF-D) Chairman Bijay Gachchhadar reiterated that it was still possible to incorporate the concerns of various agitating sides in the new constitution.
Disgruntled groups want jailed cadres freed before talks
Urging all the disgruntled political parties and groups to be flexible, PM Koirala said the CA can't deliver a new constitution if parties do not show flexibility. "As constitution is a document of compromise, we could not accommodate the concerns of all parties," Koirala said. "We can still incorporate some issues as the process is still not over."
Similarly, UML Chairman Oli said parties are ready to discuss any issue in the CA for the larger interests of the public. "I strongly urge agitating groups not to threaten use of weapons. Any issue can be discussed within the CA and resolved," said Oli. Stating that the new constitution will have all the major democratic features, he urged all agitating forces to seek a democratic solution to their problems.
Oli also urged the major political parties to remain prepared for challenges while giving final shape to the new constitution. Denouncing the Tikapur incident, Oli said the attack was carried out by the agitating site in a deceptive way.
UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Dahal urged the disgruntled parties to not to turn away from the historical responsibility of making the new constitution. "It is still possible for the CA to address your genuine demands. I request the agitating parties to sit for talks and not boycott the process," said Dahal.
He also urged the ruling side to take serious initiatives for dialogue with the agitating forces. Dahal was of the view that the ongoing process should not be halted on any pretext. Dahal also condemned the Tikapur incident.
MPRF-D Chairman Bijay Gachchhadar urged the major political parties to be ready to make necessary changes to the proposed provincial boundaries. He also warned of boycotting the process if their demand for revising the provincial boundaries is not addressed.
However, Rastriya Prajatantra Party Nepal (RPP-N) Chairman Kamal Thapa accused the major political parties of inviting resistance by finalizing major features of the new constitution without properly consulting small political parties in the CA.
Addressing the same meeting, lawmakers representing Tharu community argued that they opposed the draft constitution as it was prepared breaching agreements reached in the past.
Gopal Dahit of Tharuhat Tarai Party and Rukmini Chaudhari of Federal Democratic National Forum demanded a separate Tharuhat province comprising areas with predominantly Tharu population in the southern parts of the country.
