Political, constitutional crisis if CA term not extended: CA Chair

KATHMANDU, May 21: Constituent Assembly (CA) Chairman Subas Nembang has said the country would slip into grave political and constitutional crises if the CA term is not renewed.

Nembang was of the view that there is no alternative to extending the CA´s term saying there will be no other appropriate body for the parties to seek solution to the problems if the CA gets dissolved. He said if the CA is dissolved, the country will be thrown into a tunnel of darkness. [break]

"Once the people-elected CA gets dissolved, it will provide fertile ground for autocracy to thrive," he said. "It will not only sabotage the peace process but also the political achievements attained after decades-long struggle will be lost."

He urged the major political parties to deal with the CA term extension issue separately from other contentious issues.

Nembang said the political parties should make CA term extension their common proposal as CA is the achievement of their long and joint struggle.

"Leaders of the major parties are holding talks on various agenda in a package. But I urge them to settle the issue of CA term extension separately and then deal with the other agenda later," Nembang told reporters at his office in Singha Durbar, Friday.

PLA and power sharing issues hampered constitution writing

To explain reality before the people

Dissolution of CA to pave the way for autocracy

Settle CA term separately

According to him, the leaders have agreed in principle on it. "But, given the urgency, I request them to stand united in practice as well," he said.

PLA and power sharing issues hampered constitution writing

According to him, despite the leaders´ commitment not to let their differences over other political issues hamper the CA´s business, the CA has fallen victim to political games. The issue of combatants management and who should lead the government have remained major obstacles to the CA in recent months.

CA not a failure

When asked how he evaluates the CA´s two years, he urged not to jump to any conclusion about its failure or success. "We have done so much despite various disputes and challenges. I think, we shouldn´t draw such a conclusion (of failure)," he said.

To explain reality before the people

He also informed that once the CA tenure is extended, it would present all CA details -- its past activities, work completed so far and the proposed calendar of events -- before the people.