Former Prime Minister and senior Nepali Congress leader Sher Bahadur Deuba has reiterated that the new constitution will be drafted within January 22.

Leader Deuba, who is currently here in London on a family visit, assured the Nepali people living in the UK of drafting the new constitution by the slated time.  He was speaking at a programme organised at Nepali embassy in London on Saturday.

“There is no disagreement about completing the first draft of the new constitution in time as the parties have reached consensus on the key contentious issues except federalism,” said leader Deuba.

Claiming that agreement has been reached to provide special citizenship to the non-residential Nepalis, leader Deuba conceded that there have been certain complications about providing political rights. “There would be confusion among the person assuming the political posts as to which country to take seriously,” he opined. “That’s why voting rights and other things can be granted.”

The NC leader said that his party is resolute on its views that the former Gurkha soldiers be given pension and others benefits on a par on their British counterparts. He added that only diplomatic initiatives would make it possible.

At the programme, lawmaker and leader Deuba’s wife Aarzoo Deuba claimed that women lawmakers were more serious about drafting the constitution compared to men.  “As a member of the constitution drafting committee, I am confident about the promulgation of new constitution by the salted time,” she said.  “Every one of us needs to be cautious that a new kind of threat can emerge now if the new constitution could not be drafted this time around.”

At the meeting, acting ambassador to UK Tej Bahadur Chhetri welcomed the Deuba couple and the guests.