Second-rung leaders of the three major parties—Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and UCPN (Maoist)—have stressed the need to promulgate  new constitution soon by addressing the demands of Madhesi, Tharu and Janajati constituencies.

During the deliberation on the draft constitution in the Constituent Assembly on Thursday, Chairman of the Political Dialogue and Consensus Committee Baburam Bhattarai said the ongoing protests in some parts of the country should be resolved through dialogue and consensus.  

But he insisted that the constitution drafting process should be completed as soon as possible. At a time when the parties are engaged in changing the provision on religion in the new constitution, Bhattarai is of the view that securalism, enshrined in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CA) and Interim Constitution, should be retained in the new charter.

Without securalism, individual’s right to religion would not be protected, said Bhattarai. “We should not provide any statements against the securalism.” The drafting process is in a final stage and the constitution will be promulgated within the next couple of days, he added.

Defending the seven-province deal between the major parties, Bhattarai said the federal units have been carved on the basis of idenitity and viability, but assured that there is still some room for change. “The proposed federal commission could also give a final touch to demarcation after the constitution promulgation,” he said.

Senior UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal said the parties will have to regret if republic, federalism, and other rights of people are not institutionalised simultaneously. He asked the agitating parties to sit for talks and resolve the differences through dialogue and consensus.

“Parties should not hesitate to settle threshold, securalism and other issues put forth by Janajatis,” Nepal said, adding that people from Hill, Tarai, Madhes should support the constitution drafting process.

Nepali Congress Vice-president Ram Chandra Poudel said people’s desire of promulgation of new constitution through an elected body has reached a final stage. “Despite some uncomfortable circumstances, institutionalising the republic is the need of the hour,” Poudel said.

He explained that some provisions of the draft constitution could be changed through a collective registration of ammendment proposal. “Similarly, we have proposed federal commission for undertaking the final tasks of demarcation of federal units,” he said.