KATHMANDU, Sept 2: UCPN (Maoist) has proposed referendum to settle some of the key issues of new constitution if the parties fail to reach consensus on the contentious issues through negotiations or through the parliament.
Pushpa Kamal Dahal´s proposal came during a three-party meeting of Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and the Maoist at the UML headquarter in Balkhu, Saturday morning. [break]Dahal also suggested that the parties should be able to find solution to the current political deadlock latest by September 16.
This is the first time Maoists have floated the option of referendum to settle the contentious issues of new statute. Opposition parties mainly the NC have long been arguing that contentious issues such as single ethnic identity-based federalism should be taken to the people for decision.
According to Maoist Spokesperson Agni Sapkota, Dahal proposed that the parties first try to arrive at consensus through negotiation on contentious issues. "But if there was no agreement through negotiations, some of the issues can be decided by the parliament. Chairman Dahal has even proposed to go for referendum to settle the issues of great national importance if there were no consensus from negotiation or through the parliament," Sapkota told media persons.
Sapkota said the talks among major parties were heading towards positive direction. "The talks focused on the content of the constitution," he said. Sapkota further said there must be a consensus to revive the parliament to amend the Interim Constitution so that the elections can be held.
Sapkota argued that his party would not go for parliamentary election unless there is promulgation of new statute through Constituent Assembly (CA). “We will hold talk with the members of Federal Democratic Republica Alliance only after reaching closer to the consensus on contentious issues with the NC and CPN-UM," he said. Earlier, the FDRA had given Dahal the mandate to reach a package deal on all issues of contention.
Talking to Republica, NC Vice President Ram Chandra Paudel said they held discussion on all issues including the formation of a new government, preparing draft constitution after arriving at consensus on contentious issues of new statute and ways to promulgate new statute“ "We are holding discussions on all issues. But there has not been consensus on any of the issues yet," he said.
Paudel also said that parties are at odds on whether to first form national consensus government or agree on contentious issues and ways to promulgate new statute. "There have been differences among parties on the chronology of the works to be done to resolve the deadlock. We have been saying that ruling parties should first create an environment of trust by stepping down from the governmen”," he said.
CPN-UML General Secretary Ishwar Pokharel said the parties plan to sit for talks on Sunday. He said that the discussions on various issues including government, peace process and contentious issues of new statute are moving in a positive direction.
The three-major parties have expedited talks after President Ram Baran Yadav urged them to forge consensus at the earliest.
Meanwhile talking to media persons in Janakpur, Maoist Chairman Dahal said parties will reach agreement on whether to go for fresh CA election or revive the dissolved CA within two days. "We are holding serious negotiation. There has been a possibility of NC and UML coming to consensus on the issue," he said.
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