Deliberation on the draft constitution has been given continuity after Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal lifted House obstruction following an agreement on Saturday.
Putting forth his views at the CA meeting on Sunday, Nepali Congress (NC) Vice-president Ramchandra Paudel expressed reservations over the eight-province federal model. "Our country can't sustain eight provinces, so I suggest forming six provinces," Paudel said. "If we agree on a six-province model, nomenclature and demarcation can be finalized within the CA."Paudel was of the view in the context of our country religious freedom should be included as a fundamental right instead of defining the country as a secular state. However, Paudel welcomed most of the provisions in the draft constitution.
CPN-UML lawmaker Bharatmohan Adhikari speaking during deliberations urged to give more power to local bodies. "Rights and power given to the local bodies and districts are not enough," Adhikari said. Though Adhikari claimed that the draft ensures inclusiveness, Rajan Bhattarai of UML expressed dissatisfaction over the provisions on inclusiveness. "The draft of the new statute does not define the issue properly," said Bhattarai. He proposed highly competitive state mechanism and self-governing local authority.
Dhaniram Paudel of UCPN (Maoist) said the constitution does not ensure inclusion in local bodies. "The draft seems to be backtracking on various progressive issues," said Paudel.
Ramnarayan Bidari of UCPN (Maoist) said his party has accepted the draft only to ensure timely constitution in the country. "We disagree with various provisions of the proposed draft. However, we made a compromise as we want to see timely constitution in the country," said Bidari.
Amidst dispute over provision envisioning allowing religious conversation in the new constitution, Eknath Dhakal of Nepal Pariwar Dal demanded religious conversation as a fundamental right in the new constitution.
Meanwhile, various women lawmakers commenting on the draft constitution suggested reviewing the citizenship provision. "The draft is discriminatory to women," said Arju Deuba of Nepali Congress. Lawmakers, including Amresh Singh, Anuradha Thapamagar, Prem Bahadur Singh, Yashoda Kumari Lama including other lawmakers also expressed their dissenting views.
Madhes-based parties boycott CA meeting
Four Madhesh-based political parties have boycotted the meeting of the Constituent Assembly (CA) on Sunday. The Federal Socialist Forum Nepal, Tarai Madhes Democratic Party, Sadbhavana Party and Tarai Madhes Sadbhavana Party boycotted the meeting saying promulgating the new constitution without naming and delineating the federation states would not be acceptable to them.
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