"Let's ensure that there is sufficient time for public debate and don't leave any room for complaints that people were not allowed 'time' for participation," said the president at a meeting with the top political leaders.Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli, UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Madhesi People's Rights Forum-Democratic (MPRF-D) Chairman Bijay Gachchhadar were invited to the President's Office at Sheetal Niwas, Friday.
While urging the leaders to ensure sufficient time for public participation, the president was quick to add that he wasn't doing so with any intention of extending his stay in the office of president.
"Don't interpret this request from me as any desire to extend my tenure. Don't doubt my interntions. I am ready to leave office right now if you so desire," the president told the leaders. "I am even ready to sign a blank paper over this matter if you have any suspicion about my wishes."
He opined that he is personally for ensuring democracy, a republic and a federal system as immutable features of the new constitution.
The president's utterances come at a time when the major political forces have announced they are to produce the new constitution through a fast-track process even at the cost of skipping some of the procedures. The leaders have announced they will promulgate the new constitution within a few months.
The Constituent Assembly has already concluded its deliberations over the first draft of the constitution and the lawmakers are scheduled to spread out across the country to collect public feedback on the draft.
President Yadav said he has seriously concerned over some key issues, such as national integrity, republicanism, a democratic federal system, an independent judiciary, professionalism and civil control over the Nepal Army and other security agencies, constitutional bodies and checks and balance between those bodies.
He also expressed serious concern over reports that the draft constitution has curtailed press freedom. He enquired whether the reports that press freedom had been weakened in comparison with past provisions were indeed true.
"Sometimes, I find misleading reports even about myself. But don't curtail press freedom in the name of making it accountable. Press freedom is like oxygen for democracy," he said.
The president also suggested to the leaders to put in more efforts to bring dissident groups on board the constitution-making process. He was for incorporating the views of those represented in the CA as well as those who aren't in the legislature at all.
"Experts have noted that the draft constitution looks like a document of disagreements whereas it should be a document of consensus," he said. "This reality demands statesmanship from the leaders."
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