KATHMANDU, DEC 15 - W ith the deadline for the new constitution only six months away, some political leaders have been advocating for the amendment of Constituent Assembly (CA) schedule in order to extend its tenure beyond May 28. But the same set of characters seems reluctant to put in the hard work that constitution making calls for. Nepali Congress Central Committee member Narahari Acharya unhesitatingly named some names to the Post. Sher Bahadur Deuba, for his own party, and Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, he said, had no moral authority to say that the timeline should be extended. Those who do not participate in discussions in the CA have no such right, he said. 

Acharya is right. As one of only a handful of political leaders who attends deliberations on different CA committees without fail, he has every right to question the intention of those who seldom turn up for important discussions but make big demands on the few who do. Acharya made another telling point during the interview. Even though he conceded that it might not be possible to complete the whole constitution making process by May 28, he was confident that “at a minimum a first draft of the constitution can be presented in five months...” As someone who has been actively involved in the process for the last one and a half years, he should know. This measured response is again in sharp contrast to the statements of other political leaders who see the timeline of May 28 as inviolable.

Acharya also sets himself apart in his belief that Nepalis will laud the hard work and appreciate what has been achieved till May 28 if the constitution makers show the intent to come up with the constitution on time. This again contrasts with the statements of some political leaders who forecast doom in case the constitution making is not done and dusted by the May 28 deadline. In the tumultuous world of Nepali politics, Acharya’s voice emerges as both articulate and realistic.

With three of the 11 thematic committees in the CA failing to submit their reports on time, the CA schedule is likely to be revised for the eighth time. In this climate, Acharya’s cogent analysis should be a wake-up call for those who had kept themselves away from the constitution making process so far. People want to see some commitment from their representatives towards honouring the popular mandate of drafting a new constitution. If the CA members can show sincerity towards the process, they have little to fear from the people.

Posted on: 2009-12-15 09:55

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