Kathmandu, 6th February, 2015 : The major ruling parties—Nepali Congress and CPN (UML)— have indicated to stop the majority process in drafting the new constitution if the agitating parties including the UCPN (Maoist) come for a dialogue by cancelling all their programmes of protest and agitation.
A meeting of the two parties held at the official residence of the Prime Minister at Baluwatar earlier today drew a conclusion to adopt maximum flexibility, with a decision to initiate efforts for a dialogue and consensus simultaneously with the opposition parties.
After the meeting, NC Vice-President Ram Chandra Poudel said they are in favour of promulgating the new constitution in the presence of partners of the 12-point agreement, Comprehensive Peace Accord and People’s Movement. “We are ready to wait for them if they come to the negotiating table”, said leader Poudel in response to journalists’ statement that the opposition have said they would not come for a dialogue until the majority process was halted.
Referring to the extension of the term of the questionnaire development sub-committee by five days, leader Poudel said the intention of the extension was to wait for the collaborating parties. “The opposition parties should not shy away from the great task of drafting the new constitution”.
The meeting today reviewed the reaction of the opposition alliance to the work of the Sub-committee under the CA questionnaire development committee and decided to make an appeal again for dialogue and consensus. It also decided to keep the door open for a consensus while holding the dialogue and talks.
The constitution making process was moved ahead as per the CA Rules of Procedure drafted on the basis of a consensus among the political parties, after relentless efforts for a consensus failed to bear fruit, said UML Vice-Chair Bhim Rawal. “If they (the opposition alliance) are really in favour of a consensus then they should come forward by cancelling all their programmes of protest. Then we will also be ready to think what can be done next”, he added.
Based on the decision taken to move the dialogue and consensus process ahead simultaneously, the meeting also decided to give Prime Minister and NC President Sushil Koirala the responsibility of coordination for the same.
It may be noted that the UCPN-M-led alliance of opposition parties including the Madhesh-centric parties on Thursday announced a series of protest programmes to be held in different parts of the country. The alliance has boycotted the questionnaire development committee as well as the last CA meeting.
In the meantime, the ruling coalition has moved ahead with the majority process in the drafting of the new constitution with the development of questionnaires on the disputed issues of the constitution.
Source : RSS
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