The Nepali Congress (NC), CPN-UML and some other political parties were, however, lobbying for a term extension until the very last.[break]
"The mechanism of the 27 political parties is the major body for taking decisions, not the taskforce. Therefore, we decided to give continuity to the 27-party mechanism. The taskforce or any other similar panel can be activated if and when needed," UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who was also coordinator of the taskforce, told reporters after the meeting.
He said the parties have decided to activate the formal committees under the Constituent Assembly (CA) to settle the disputes. Dahal also said the taskforce has established that accomplishing the tasks of constitution-drafting is possible in the remaining months.
When NC, UML and other party leaders had urged Dahal to extend the taskforce term and resolve the remaining issues, he had argued that it was not appropriate to renew the term since some quarters had started criticizing the body.
Lauding Dahal´s role as coordinator for the progress made by the taskforce, some lawmakers including Dr. Prakash Chandra Lohani had urged him to accomplish the remaining tasks as well.
"It is true that the taskforce made significant progress in its given task but even the CC Chair [Nilambar Acharya], among others, termed it an unconstitutional body. And some lawmakers earlier pressed me not to extend its term," UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal quoted Dahal as saying at the meeting.
Party leaders have also reached an understanding to forward the remaining disputes to the Constitutional Committee (CC) of the CA for resolution, through some amendments in CA regulations. As per the regulations, the CC cannot resolve disputes. It is entrusted only with the task of preparing an integrated draft report incorporating all the 11 preliminary thematic reports.
- CA regulations to be amended
- CC to be entrusted with resolving disputes
- ´Reflection of intra-party feud´
"Activating the formal bodies means forwarding the remaining disputes to the CC. Therefore, it is needed to amend the provision," Sunil Prajapati of Nepal Workers Peasants Party told Republica. But the text of the amendment is yet to be prepared and approved by the party leaders.
The taskforce, which was formed by a 27-party meeting on October 11, was originally given a 15-day period to resolve the disputes. Later, the parties twice extended its term. The taskforce resolved 127 out of the total of 210 disputes identified by the reports study panel of the CA. The panel identified contentious points from eight thematic reports.
Reflection of intra-party feud
Though Dahal expressed his party´s unwillingness to extend the taskforce term, citing criticism from other quarters, party leaders familiar with developments are not convinced by the argument. They claimed instead that it was due to the Maoist party´s intra-party feuding. "In the initial stage, Dahal had worked very enthusiastically and significant achievements were made. It was after the Maoist party plenum that he felt pressure from within his party," said a party leader involved with the taskforce.
Party leaders said he stopped becoming active in the taskforce due to pressure from those close to Mohan Baidya in his own party.
Differing interpretations of taskforce status
Party leaders have interpreted the decision on the status of the taskforce differently.
Speaker Subas Nembang claimed that the taskforce is not dissolved and it can be activated again any time it is needed.
"The taskforce is in place. It is true that the meeting did not extend its term. However, it doesn´t mean that it is dissolved. It will be continued because it is essential," Nembang said.
But Maoist Chairman Dahal was of the view that the Speaker can convene a meeting to discuss the constitution-making process. His interpretation was, however, different. "He may call a meeting of the key leaders for consultations," Dahal said.
Maoist Chief Whip Post Bahadur Bogati echoed Dahal. He said the taskforce no longer exists from Monday onward. "It is clear we did not extend the term. The speaker may call leaders from two or three or seven parties for issue-wise discussions but the taskforce is no longer there," Bogati said.
According to Lohani, some leaders also described its status as hibernation.
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