While the Maoists maintain that a simple majority should suffice to forward the nine reports (the parties have already reached a consensus on two other reports) of the thematic committees to the constitutional committee (CC), the other two parties are pressing for consensus saying that ultimately the CA has to endorse the provisions outlined in the reports by a two-third majority. Similarly, the Maoists argue that the state restructuring commission, which they have agreed to form, should not have the mandate to override the decision of the committee on state restructuring — which has already narrowed down on a 14-province ethnicity-based federation — while the other two parties say that the commission should have the rights to make recommendations on the names, number and delineation of provinces independently as per the interim constitution.
While it is completely natural for parties to differ on such contentious issues, in fact healthy if it is not stretched beyond limit, they should also keep in mind that the deadline for promulgating the statute is less than two-and-a-half months away. In fact, the CC should have readied the first draft of the constitution by March 5. Hence, they must find a solution to the two issues in question as early as possible and take the constitution-drafting process forward.
The parties must remember that they carry the burden of expectations of the entire nation on their shoulders. In a bid to outdo each other and include their agendas in the constitution, they should not put the fate of a nation at stake. The constitution should finally reflect the aspirations of the people, not their respective party’s interests. If they move forward encompassing the wider aspirations of the people, we are quite confident that they would be able to find solutions for not only the two issues in question but also to many contentious issues that might crop up in the future.
Related story
Alternative route for Mugling-Narayanghat road under constructi...
