In a televised address to the nation on the eve of Republic Day, President Yadav said reconstruction should be no excuse for delay in promulgating a new constitution.
"Constitution making and reconstruction are equally important but delivering a new constitution on time should be the top priority," he said.Stressing the need for timely promulgation of the new constitution, he said this year's Republic Day should be the last Republic day without a new constitution. "Hope we all get a chance to celebrate the next Republic Day with a new constitution in place," said Yadav.
Praising political parties for coming together for carrying out relief efforts in the earthquake-affected districts, he urged the political parties to show similar unity and understanding in drafting the new statute.
"It may take years to reconstruct hundreds of thousands of structures damaged and destroyed by the April 25 earthquake. But we should not be spending so much time on drafting the statute," said he.
He said constitution drafting should be the top priority as the new constitution would be instrumental in making the reconstruction works more balanced, dynamic and people-centric.
Since a decade, local bodies have remained without people's representatives in lack of weak political commitment and unclear provision in the interim constitution.
"So, local election has also emerged as an important need. So, I urge political parties to give top priority to statute," added he. He also urged political parties to continue reconstruction work.
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