As the constitution drafting process enters the home stretch on Tuesday, the UCPN (Maoist) has urged Prime Minister Sushil Koirala to take immediate measures to address demands of the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Loktantrik (MJF-L) and Tharus.

At a meeting with PM Koirala on Monday, the opposition party said that even if it is not possible to address all the demands of the Madhes-based parties, the MJF-L should be on board the constitution drafting process.

Some amendments are already registered at the Constituent Assembly (CA) Secretariat seeking to address the demands raised by Madhesis and Tharus, the Maoist party said, adding that grievances of the MJF-L and Tharu group could be addressed without affecting the CA process that begins on Tuesday.

The CA rules of procedures could be amended to address the grievances of agitating forces if necessary, cross-party leaders claim. Such chances appear slim, however.  

The UCPN (M) is also holding negotiations with the CPN-UML on addressing MJF-L’s demands. MJF-L Chairman Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar, who had earlier announced to boycott CA proceedings, said on Monday that he would wait for couple of days for the consensus.

 “We told PM Koirala that at least MJF-L should remain in the constitution drafting process and demands of Tharus should be addressed. Otherwise the country will plunge into another conflict,” UCPN (M) Vice-chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha said after the meeting with PM.

According to him, Maoist leaders have also called to correct the wrong interpretation of secularism in the draft constitution. Shrestha has also registered a note of dissent in the party, saying that the current interpretation of secularism is against international standards.

CA Chairman Subas Nembang also insists that there is still a narrow window to address the demands of the agitating Tharus and Madhesis. “I have asked the major parties to closely study the entire amendment proposal registered by parties and individual lawmakers. Many demands of the agitating forces could be addressed through such amendments,” Nembang told the Post. “If all the demands are not addressed now, we can amend the constitution soon after its promulgation on broader consensus.”

The CA meeting has been called for Tuesday for clause-wise discussions on draft constitution and the amendment proposal. According to Nembang, the CA process begins with deliberations followed by decisions on the amendment proposals. Only the joint amendment proposal registered by the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and UCPN (Maoist) is likely to be endorsed. After the settlement of amendment proposal, there will be clause-wise discussions and voting on constitution bill.  

The CA Chair has right to accept or refuse any amendment or to call upon the concerned members to make improvement thereon, or to accept by consolidating more than one amendment proposal.

According to Article 70 of the Interim Constitution 2007, there will be voting on the preamble and every article of the bill. The bill shall be passed by consensus of a meeting attended by at least two-thirds of the CA members.

After the completion of clause-wise discussions and decisions on amendment proposals, a motion will be presented to endorse the draft constitution. The bill will be authenticated by the CA chair. Unlike in the previous CA where the authentication power was vested in the President, the CA chair is entrusted with the privilege. If the process goes unhindered, the President will assent the new constitution.