Miscellaneous
Ruling parties for early deal
Welcoming the opposition’s readiness to sit for talks, the ruling coalition has said consensus efforts should not be pushed beyond mid-March.Prime Minister Sushil Koirala met senior Nepali Congress leaders and ministers on Thursday, informing them that he would take a lead in holding “decisive” talks with the Maoist and Madhesi parties as the agitating bloc had agreed to join dialogue. A minister involved in informal talks with the opposition told the Post that the PM had inquired about the process such as the venue and agenda for renewed dialogue.
In the consultation, NC leaders and ministers advised party President Koirala to resume the talks that had collapsed on January 19. They also asked him to consult with coalition partner CPN-UML on the matter.
The NC leaders urged the PM to enter directly into the intricacies of the new constitution, particularly the disputed issues such as the details of federal states, forms of government, judiciary and the electoral system.According to a leader, the ruling parties have felt the need to settle the disputes by setting another deadline for promulgating a full-fledged constitution as further delay would embolden “regressive and ultra-radical forces” in both the right and ultra-left groups. “We wish to promulgate the new constitution by May 29 [Republic Day]. The target could fail again if no headway is made by mid-March,” said UML Secretary Pradeep Gyawali.
He hinted that the ruling parties would press for voting if consensus was not built within March 15. “We must follow the process in the Constituent Assembly if consensus efforts go futile as it takes at least two months to complete the set procedure,” he said. Welcoming the opposition alliance’s decision to sit for talks, Nepali Congress leader Purna Bahadur Khadka stressed the need for immediate talks to decide the contentious constitutional agendas.
He hoped that consensus could be formed within a few days if the parties are keen to agree. “Except the names and borders of federal units, everything has been settled. ,” said Khadka. “It won’t take long to find accord if top leaders work honestly.” He said the CA meeting could resume within the third week of March. The CA session has been postponed to create an environment for negotiations.