KATHMANDU, DEC 23 - The full House Constituent Assembly (CA) has stopped its business following disagreement between the ruling and opposition parties on the process to be adopted in the constitution drafting process. The Political Dialogue and Consensus Committee (PDCC) has submitted contentious issues—federalism, forms of government, judiciary and electoral system—failed to forged consensus of new constitution to the House but there has not been any progress on the matter. 

CA Chairman Subas Nembang is holding discussions on regular basis among the CA members with a hope that parties would suggest a way forward. Cross-party leaders argue that as there have already been sufficient discussions in the CA there is no point in prolonging the discussions. Earlier, the parties had requested Nembang to initiate a discussion, assuring that they would soon come out with a solution.

The prolonged discussion suggests the CA does not have any alternatives, with the parties sharply divided on ways to resolve the disputed issues back. The ruling Nepal Congress and CPN-UML want to form a special committee in the full House to settle the disputed issues or prepare a questionnaire, but the opposition front opposes it, demanding that they be returned to the PDCC further deliberations. Nembang has repeatedly said that he could not do anything on the PDCC report without an agreement among the parties.  But suggestions that the ruling parties are holding discussions with others in the CA to find a mechanism to replace the PDCC could further sour their relations with the opposition parties.

The two coalition partners are said to be mulling over a mechanism involving top leaders of the major parties and CA chairman to speed up the constitution drafting process. But they could not convince the opposition front. The opposition parties hold that as the PDCC itself being a panel of top leaders inside the CA it should settle the contentious constitutional issues.The widening rift between the parties was all apparent during the discussions on the PDCC report on Monday.

CPN-UML leader Bhim Prasad Acharya said there is no point in resending the disputed issues back to the PDCC. He said if consensus remains elusive, the disputed issues should be resolved through consensus.UCPN (Maoist) leader Hitraj Pandey, however, accused the ruling parties of spoiling the environment of the constitution drafting process. He said a signature campaign of the ruling parties has affected the politics of consensus. The ongoing spat between the parties has left CA Chairman Nembang with no alternative.

‘Oppn alliance a ploy to disrupt statute writing’

CPN-UML Chairman KP Oli has blamed the main opposition UCPN (Maoist) of forming various alliances with the intention to obstruct the promulgation of new constitution. He claimed that the opposition alliances were hatching conspiracies to foil the constitution writing process. Inaugurating the UML district convention here on Monday, Oli said the UCPN (Maoist) leaders left the three-party meeting held in the Capital on Saturday following his remark that “talking of the constitution writing on one hand and forming alliances to obstruct the statute writing” smacked of Maoists’ double standard. “No sooner his intent to obstruct the constitution drafting came to light, UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal left the meeting like a bat out of hell,” said the UML chairman. Oli reiterated that the new constitution would be promulgated on time through the support of 80 percent of the lawmakers. He, however, refused to divulge the basis for garnering 80 percent support.“The Constituent Assembly won’t fail this time. The new constitution will be drafted on January 22. We are doing we possibly can for that,” said Oli.

Koirala: Agitation will complicate matters

KATHMANDU: Urging for better understanding among parties, Prime Minister Sushil Koirala has said that a new constitution should be drafted on the basis of negotiation. Some parties are in favour of promulgating new constitution through two-thirds majority, while some threaten to go for protest against it, said the PM, while addressing a joint meeting of three parliamentary panels on Monday. “Such divided views would not help in bringing the constitution in stipulated time. It will only complicate the situation,” he said. Without consensus, there will be no statute but we are not pushing anyone in confrontation, he said. “Consensus means give and take. No one should be adamant.”

Koirala also indicated that he was ready to make a contribution for a national unity government if consensus can be promulgated on time. “We should work together. Political parties should move together for at least another 5-10 years for the development, stability and prosperity of the nation,” he said, calling on the fellow parliamentarians to convince top leaders.“I pledge you, please put pressure on your leaders in the party. Tell them to seek consensus on give and take,” the PM said, urging the Maoist party and its alliance to stop making statements of going for an agitation. The country cannot afford another conflict, the PM said, adding that new constitution will ensure the rights of Adivasis, Janatis, women, Madhesis, Muslims, minorities and marginalised communities.