The CC could not reach consensus on the issue on Monday after Madhes-based and some fringe political parties vociferously demanded that the provinces be allowed to have their own constitution as a guarantee of their autonomy. “The issue has come at a time when there are doubts if such states would be autonomous in a true sense of the term. Hence, the federal states should be allowed to have their own constitution,” said Tarai Madhes Democratic Party leader Hridayesh Tripathi.
However, the NC and UML leaders argued that such a provincial constitution will have no meaning as they would be scrapped if they contradict the federal constitution.
“Separate constitutions for provinces are not necessary as such constitutions would be reduced to the status of statutory laws,” said Agni Kharel of the UML. Similarly, Home Minister and UML CA member Bhim Rawal argued that the provinces would not need separate constitutions as the country is turning into federal from a unitary state.
The CC is also readying to hold a vote on the issues that the parties have differed so far.
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