Speaking at a press meet organised in Hetauda, Makwanpur district on Sunday, leader Bhandari said the ruling parties—Nepali Congress and CPN-UML— were waiting for a consensus to be forged with the opposition alliance. She remarked that the ruling parties, however, were considering releasing the constitution on the Republic Day if consensus could not be forged on the republic day.

“The constitution can be drafted and promulgated,” said Bhandari, “The constitution will not affect the national integrity and harmony as feared by the opposition.”

Leader Bhandari added that agreements have been reached regarding the judiciary, forms of governance and electoral process. “The remaining contentious issue of state restructuring will be resolved through discussions in the next few days,” she said.

UML Vice Chairman Bhandari further said a committee of experts would be formed to deal with the issue of state restructuring and the number of federal states would be decided as per the committee’s recommendation.

“A constitution that supports communalism and separatism shouldn’t be drafted,” said the UML leader, “The nation needs federalism for good governance and decentralisation.” The UML Vice Chairman said the federal states comprising of mountainous, hills and Tarai regions would be formed.