Peace, constitution: Parties to talk stalemate out
Top leaders of three major parties on Saturday renewed their commitment to expediting talks to forge consensus on outstanding issues of the peace and constitution writing process.
The assurance comes amid criticisms from fringe parties against the top leaders for failing to deliver on peace and constitution. The UCPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress and CPN-UML hosted an all-party meeting on Thursday and Saturday to listen to the concerns of other 30 parties in the Constituent Assembly.
The ruling and opposition parties have agreed to resume talks for ending the obstruction in parliament and settling the outstanding issues of constitution-writing within the February 12 deadline. A meeting of top leaders of the three major parties is scheduled for Sunday afternoon.
During Saturday’s meeting, Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal expressed commitment that the peace and constitution making process would reach a conclusion within the May 28 deadline. He said the beginning of the voluntary retirement process is a significant step, assuring that the integration process would soon advance on the basis of the seven-point agreement signed last year. “Our party is united after the recent central committee meeting. This has opened the door for progress. It will be a great achievement if we can deliver a constitution within the stipulated time,” a participant quoted Dahal as saying. He also expressed commitment to make efforts to improve relationship between the three major parties.
Fringe parties during the two-day meeting criticised major parties for running a deeply divided house and blocking progress in peace and constitution-writing. They also accused the prime minister of turning a deaf ear to the obstruction of parliament since January 17.
“I questioned the prime minister why he was reluctant to speak about the demands of opposition parties in the parliament. He responded with a smile,” said Nepal Majdoor Kisan Party leader Narayan Man Bijukchhe.
Speaking at the meeting chaired by Maoist Chairman Dahal, Speaker Subas Nembang said promulgation of the new constitution from the CA within May 28 was the best option. He also drew the attention of leaders towards the Supreme Court’s verdict that bars CA term extension beyond May 28. “We have petitioned against the supreme court’s refusal to register a request for the review of the verdict. Let’s concentrate on delivering the constitution rather than waiting for the revision,” Nembang told the meeting.
NC should get the reins: Poudel
Nepali Congress Parliamentary Party leader Ram Chandra Poudel on Saturday said the Maoists should hand over the leadership of the government to the NC if it cannot ensure progress in peace and constitution-writing.
Talking to reporters after the all party meeting held in Singhadurbar, Poudel said NC was ready to take over the responsibility. “Maoists had said that peace and constitution drafting would reach an end only if they got the leadership of the government. Now that they have failed to deliver, they should offer the government leadership to Congress,” he said.
Posted on: 2012-02-05 08:09
Post Your Comment
Today's Paper
The Kantipur in Print
FROM THE PAST 7 DAYS
ENTER KEYWORD OR DATE
FROM THE PAST 7 DAYS
ENTER KEYWORD OR DATE
Abin
All of them discussed the issue. The result was the same...and we have committed to continue discussions on the issue till midnight.
ADVERTISEMENTS
OUR PUBLICATION :
