KATHMANDU, July 23: Concerned by the lack of progress in the constitution-writing, Constituent Assembly (CA) Chairman Subas Nembang held a meeting with top leaders of three major political parties on Thursday, asking the latter to zero on the constitution-writing process.
“The CA calendar of events has already been amended for the fifth time. We now have a very limited time, so we should strictly follow it,” Nembang said at the meeting which saw the participation of the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Nepali Congress (NC) parliamentary party leader Ram Chandra Paudel and Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) Chairman Jhalanath Khanal, among other senior leaders. [break]
The top leaders conceded that the constitution process has taken a backseat and that they needed to apply themselves to the constitution-writing process.
Nembang also said the animosity among the political parties should not be reflected in the constitution-writing process and called on the leaders to perform their duties and responsibilities towards the country and people.
The speaker requested the leaders to elect a chairman to the Constitutional Committee, which has remained without its head since May 23 after then chairman Madhav Kumarn Nepal was elected to the position of prime minister.
Maoist chairman Dahal agreed that the constitution-writing process has hit roadblocks due to lack of consensus among the political parties. “We need to improve the strained relationships,” Dahal said.
Maoist, NC stake claim for CC head
Dahal also proposed the name of Dr Baburam Bhattarai for the post of Constitutional Committee chairman.
Paudel agreed that the constitution-writing process has failed to make headway. “We are going ahead with the constitution-writing process without consensus on the fundamental principles of the constitution,” he argued.
Paudel also argued that the process of integration and rehabilitation of the Maoist army should be completed prior to the promulgation of a new constitution. He also said his party stakes claim to the chairman of the Constitutional Committee, but he did not reveal the name of his party leader for the post.
Khanal agreed that the constitution writing process has not moved on the correct path. “We are only limited to formality in the constitution writing process,” he said. Khanal stressed the need of political consensus among the political parties to complete the task of constitution writing. He also said that chairman of the constitutional committee should be elected on the basis of consensus.
The leaders agreed to hold a separate meeting to elect the chair of the constitutional committee and sort out differences to speed up the constitution writing process.
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