Addressing a press meet organized by the Nepal Press Union in Ghorahi on Saturday, General Secretary Sitaula also claimed that there has already been an understanding to this effect with the UCPN (Maoist), the CPN-UML and Madhesi parties. [break]
"There will be a NC-led national consensus government by May 13. Discussions to this effect have already been held with all Madhesi parties, CPN-UML and the other parties and a consensus has been almost reached," he said.
Sitaula maintained that as the Maoists and the UML have already led the government two times each since the Constituent Assembly elections held in April 2008, it is only natural for the NC to seek to lead the government. "You can also say this: Since the other parties have already led the government it is now the turn of the NC. The next election will be held under the leadership of the NC and none other," he further said.
Sitaula said though there is an issue in the NC about who should be the new prime minister this can be sorted out easily enough. "So far as who should be made prime minister from the party is concerned, the top three leaders -Sushil Koirala, Sher Bahadur Deuba and Ram Chandra Paudel - will settle the matter within an hour of discussions," he added.
Sitaula said that all the remaining fundamental tasks of the peace process including the handover of Maoist arms to the government would be completed within this week and all contentious issues concerning constitution drafting settled in the following one week.
"The new constitution will be promulgated within the stipulated deadline. Rest assured," he said. "The new constitution will be promulgated by May 27."
Sitaula argued that there will be renewed trust among the political parties once the peace process is concluded.
"The new constitution will be promulgated on a foundation of renewed trust among the political parties," he said. "The political parties in Nepal are committed to constitution drafting and they are also capable of measuring up to the task."
Sitaula further said that some 6,000 Maoist combatants who fulfill the necessary criteria of the army would be integrated into the Nepal Army.
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