Nembang’s concern is understandable considering that the constitution-writing process has to be completed by May 2010, which is just 10 months away from now. The parties have already lost valuable time in the past 14 months over differences on a wide range of issues—valid as well as bizarre. Amazingly, the Constitutional Committee has been without a head since the past two months following the appointment of its chairman Madhav Kumar Nepal as the prime minister on May 23.
Technically, the vacant post has to be filled-up within a month but unfortunately that could not happen. However, that is no excuse for the parties to keep on deferring the appointment of a new chairman and putting back the very, very important responsibility of constitution-writing back on track.
So far, the CA calendar of events has been amended five times, which is quite a shame because it reflects our inability to work together for a common cause. Irrespective of whatever happens in the parliament, the CA has to function uninterrupted. The twin mandate given by the Nepali people to the CA members are to write the constitution and hold general elections and the inability to do so would be tantamount to a breach of historical trust.
Dahal’s demand during the meeting with Nembang that Girija Prasad Koirala be present when the parties sit down to come to a consensus is valid since Koirala is the NC’s party president and, more importantly, NC’s most powerful person. Similarly, Paudel’s view that the issue of People’s Liberation Army integration and rehabilitation has to be completed before framing the new constitution is something that the parties can discuss, debate and agree on. The point is: Such exercises have to happen without hindering the constitution-writing process.
The parties and their CA members should understand that they have a historical responsibility on their hands. For the first time in the nation’s history, there is a genuine chance of making the constitution as representative as possible. It would be a disgrace if such an opportunity is squandered.
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