Some of the key interlocutors have been pushing top leaders to take decisive steps, saying this is the right time to make compromises on key features of the new constitution.
The task of constitution making has been delayed for years as major political forces have been sticking to their respective positions on state restructuring, system of governance, electoral and judicial models.Constituent Assembly (CA) Chairman Subas Nembang is one of those pressing the top leaders to reach compromises without any delay.
"This is the most favorable time for leaders to make compromises because people at this juncture are ready to forgive leaders if they deliver a new constitution and concentrate all efforts on the task of reconstruction," Nembang told a group of journalists at his chamber in Singha Durbar on Tuesday. "I therefore have urged the major parties to seize this moment."
Nembang said the present situation is not only favorable for compromises on key issues but also an opportune moment to heal the people's deep wounds created by recent earthquakes.
The CA chairman has also told the leaders that he can initiate fast-track procedures to produce the new constitution if the leaders resolve the disputes and give a consensus report to the CA.
"I am always ready to give a roadmap for promulgating the new constitution by mid-July if leaders settle the disputed issues. An outline of the new statute is ready and once the key disputes are settled, the constitution can be produced through fast-track procedures," he explained.
Meanwhile, top leaders of four major political forces -- Nepali Congress (NC), CPN-UML, UCPN (Maoist) and United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) -- at a meeting on Tuesday evening reached an understanding on settling two key issues.
On state restructuring, the leaders have reached an understanding to delineate around six provinces in the new federal setup.
Similarly, they have also reached another understanding on adopting mixed electoral system, electing 60 percent representatives under the first-past-the-post (FPTP) category and 40 percent under proportional representation (PR).
"Top leaders from four major political forces have reached an understanding on these two issues but it has yet to be finalized through a formal agreement," UML Vice-chair Bidhya Bhandari told Republica. "Leaders from all the four sides have become ready to move ahead in the spirit of broader consensus." According to her, leaders have narrowed down their differences on other key issues as well and that the leaders are in a mood to make their utmost efforts to resolve the long-standing issues this time around.
Meanwhile, leaders at a meeting of the 30-party opposition alliance have suggested to UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who also leads the opposition alliance, to not involve themselves in activities aimed at changing the government without first settling disputes in constitution writing.
"Representatives from all the political parties stressed on concentrating efforts on making new constitution and not on joining the government," said Lalbabu Raut, leader of the Madhesi People's Rights Forum-Nepal.
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