“Any constitution without federalism can´t prevail in the country. Therefore, the new constitution must embrace federal system,” the president said while inaugurating the national convention of lawyers in Kathmandu on Friday. [break]
Emphasizing the need for national consensus on accomplishing the twin tasks of peace and constitution, he said the country can´t afford a prolonged transitional period any longer.
He said any minor mistakes to be committed during the transitional period may push the country toward uncertainty for years.
Highlighting the importance of the separation and balance of powers, he said the fundamental rights and independent judiciary should be essential conditions for the new constitution.
However, Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai said the three organs of state should be complimentary to each other. He argued that one organ of the state should not create any hindrance to other organs in the name of separation of powers.
“Separation of powers doesn´t mean that it is for unhealthy competition. The three organs should be complimentary to each other,” said the prime minister. He vowed to continuously work in favor of the rule of law, human rights and institutional development of independent judiciary.
Speaking at the same function, Chief Justice Kheelraj Regmi said the new constitution should not curtail independence of the judiciary.
“The judiciary should continue to remain as an effective organization like it is at present,” Regmi said, adding, “The proposal for reappointment of judges and formation of two parallel courts is against the principle of independent judiciary,” he said.
UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, NC President Sushil Koirala and CPN-UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal, among other political leaders, also addressed the convention.
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