Talking to media persons during a tea reception organized by the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) to mark its 60th founding anniversary in Kathmandu on Monday, Nembang argued he had given a week's time to the parties to reach consensus when he decided on Sunday to resume the stalled CA meeting.
"Ruling parties have been saying that they are ready for consensus. The opposition parties have also said their protest program is aimed at putting pressure on the ruling parties to promulgate a consensus-based statute. I strongly urge both the ruling and opposition parties to expedite efforts for consensus," he said.
Nembang urged the political parties to either agree on disputed issues of the new statute or on the process to move ahead in the CA. "I think consensus is still possible before the CA meeting begins. If there is no consensus by then, I will move ahead in line with the provisions of the interim constitution and established rules," he further said.
Talking to media persons during the function, NC Vice President Ram Chandra Paudel said consensus is still possible if the leaders of the opposition parties held discussions with the ruling parties with an open heart. "The agitating 30-party alliance has to withdraw their protest programs. This won't help promulgate a new statute. Neither will this help bring about peace and development," he said.
Likewise, CPN-UML leader Jhala Nath Khanal said the parties are at odds only on one of the four key contentious issues of the new statute."We will try to reach broad political consensus on the issue of federalism. But if this is not possible, we will seek adequate majority," he said.
Likewise, Sadbhavana Party Chairman Rajendra Mahato said the new constitution should incorporate the spirit of the various agreements reached with various dissenting parties in the past. "Our agitation is also aimed at exerting pressure on the ruling parties for consensus," he said.
UML senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal commented that parties still have enough time to reach consensus. "The government should lso make necessary preparations to hold local elections," he said.
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