Stating that differing views cannot be incorporated into amicable documents like constitution, they suggested the opposition parties to amend the drafted constitution after having a favourable mandate. “It is not possible to incorporate everyone’s demands into the constitution. It should be amended according to needs and demands,” senior UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal said during an interaction programme organised by the Federations of Nepali Journalists.

Assuaging the Maoist fears of the numerical strength of the coalition partners, the ruling parties suggested them to win people’s mandate and amend the draft constitution as per their needs.  

Nepal further stated that there would be no compromise on the notion of ethnic federalism and separating the Tarai region from the hills. Despite differences, the NC and the UML were still working in tandem on issues of national unity, diversity and inclusion, he added.

NC General Secretary Krishna Prasad Sitaula, underlining the importance of consensus of all fringe parties, said the constitution cannot be drafted within January 22 with the ongoing disputes among parties. He added that a ‘fast-track’ model should be adopted amending the Constituent Assembly regulations and schedule. The ruling and opposition parties are at loggerheads over the key constitutional issues—federalism, forms of government, judiciary and electoral system. The ruling parties are pressing for voting to resolve the disputed issues, while the opposition Maoist party demands to forge consensus.

Four parties return to ‘negotiating table’

KATHMANDU: After trading barbs, the ruling and opposition parties have returned to the ‘negotiating table’, renewing hopes of timely constitution.

Talks among the four major parties had been stalled following a heated exchange, mainly between CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli and UCPN (Maoist) chief Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

Heads of major parties and second-rung leaders gathered at the Prime Minister Sushil Koirala’s official residence in Baluwatar on Wednesday and held both bilateral and multilateral talks to build confidence among the leaders.  

The resumption of negotiations is expected to forge consensus on disputed issues of new constitution, claim cross-party leaders. “We did not discuss much on disputed issues of the constitution but re-started talks as part of confidence building measures,” said senior UML leader Jhala Nath Khanal. “We have asked chiefs of Congress, UML and Maoists to discuss in detail and call a meeting of four major parties tomorrow.”

Maoist leader Narayan Kaji Shrestha said the meeting was aimed at bridging gap between party leaders. He mentioned that there was no irreconcilable difference on content of the constitution.