“We discussed how we can prepare the first integrated draft of the new constitution in the remaining time,” UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who also heads the subcommittee, told reporters after the meeting held at Singha Durbar on Friday.[break]
He said the leaders had already held intensive discussions and also narrowed down differences over major contentious issues, including the system of governance and the electoral model to be adopted in the new constitution.
“The third major issue is about state restructuring. On Sunday, we will hold a discussion and decide whether to settle the issue in the CA committee or to form a high-level commission for the purpose,” said Dahal.
Nepali Congress (NC) parliamentary party leader Ram Chandra Paudel, however, insisted that a commission be formed to settle the issue. “Delineating provinces on the basis of a political decision may invite further troubles in the future. Therefore, we should form a commission for the purpose,” Paudel told media persons.
However, Maoist leader Dev Gurung, who represents the hard-line faction in the UCPN (Maoist), said formation of such a commission would be irrelevant. He said formation of such a body would be irrelevant because the Constituent Assembly (CA) has moved ahead from that stage and given the time constraints it would not be possible for the CA to wait until the commission comes up with a report.” Gurung was of the view that the CA, based on the thematic committee´s report, can take experts´ views on the matter and take a decision.
According to members attending the meeting, Dahal had tried to allay NC leaders´ concerns after they insisted that the work of statute drafting can be expedited only after making tangible progress in the peace process.
“Rest assured that the peace process will gain momentum and there is no point in halting the constitution drafting process,” a member quoted Dahal as saying at the meeting. Dahal said that since the central committee of his party had recently endorsed the proposal to focus on peace and constitution as the party´s official line, the parties need not doubt its intentions.
“Dahal seemed to be pretty clear on expediting the peace process within couple of days,” said a leader who participated in the meeting.
Terming Friday´s meeting as a warm-up sitting after a long gap, members expected that the meetings starting Sunday would yield results.
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