Common people, business community and political activists across districts are preparing to celebrate the historic moment as the Constituent Assembly is set to promulgate the new constitution on Sunday.

In Hetauda, locals are all set to organise a victory rally and light lamps on the occasion.

Chitwan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Kalyan Joshi said they are eager to welcome the new constitution.

A meeting of major three political parties in Sarlahi, meanwhile, decided to organise a joint programme to celebrate the statute promulgation. District Chairman of CPN-UML Rewati Panta said they are going to organise a motorcycle rally along East-West Highway. Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha, however, is going to organise a protest rally on Sunday and going to burn copies of the new constitution on Monday. Morcha cadres hoisted black flags in a number of villages on Saturday, showing their dissatisfaction over the new constitution.

In Kapilvastu, Madhes-based parties are going to organise a blackout in every household from 6 to 8pm on Sunday. Sahasram Yadav of Samajbadi Forum Nepal said they are going to stage demonstrations against the constitution promulgation at various parts of the district on Monday. Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, UCPN (Maoist), Rastriya Janamorcha and CPN (ML) supporters, however, said they will organise Deepawali on the occasion of constitution promulgation in the district. Likewise, people in Karnali and Rapti zones are also celebrating the moment to welcome new constitution. In Banke and Bardiya, some groups are protesting the endorsement of constitution.

CPN-UML district chairman in Banke, Ashok Koirala, said the dream of Nepali people to draft a constitution on their own has materialised. “We are planning grand celebrations on Sunday,” he said.

Civil society leaders in Kathmandu, meanwhile, congratulated all fellow citizens for having a new constitution after struggles for the past 70 years. Issuing a press statement, they hailed the new constitution saying that it incorporates globally established progressives agendas such as republicanism, federalism, secularism and inclusiveness. Expressing hope that the new statute will be a foundation for building a peaceful, progressive and beautiful Nepal, they have also remembered people who were killed in their efforts bring the country to the current stage. “We are confident that the new statute will be a document that is flexible and dynamic enough to accommodate people’s aspirations and address concerns of those who are dissatisfied today,” the statement said.

(With inputs from our local correspondents)