CA meeting today, fate uncertain

KATHMANDU, JAN 21 -

Though the ruling parties seem determined to initiate the voting process to decide disputed issues, Constituent Assembly Chairman Subas Nembang is unclear about the way forward after two straight day obstructions by the opposition parties in the CA.

Nembang said there is no alternative for the parties to talks for finding a way out of the chaos in the Assembly.

But the chances of dialogue appear slim given the hostility between the ruling coalition and the opposition after Tuesday’s incident in the CA.

“My first priority is to end the deadlock in the CA on the basis of agreement among the major parties,” said Nembang. He has put off two CA meetings after the agitating parties obstructed the proceedings to block a proposal to form a Questionnaire Committee to initiate the voting process to decide the disputed issues of constitution writing.

Another CA meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday but the chairman and the ruling parties are undecided about possible measures to remove the obstruction.

The ruling NC and CPN-UML are pressing Nembang to forcefully table the proposal to form the committee. High-level sources in the CA said greater confrontation will be inevitable if a proposal is forced. Another alternative is to expel opposition lawmakers from the meeting and table the proposal.

Source said such an extreme measure would not be taken in the immediate future. In normal parliamentary process, the House is obstructed if lawmakers come to the well. “Since it’s impossible to expel opposition lawmakers using force, the only option is consensus,” said Tek Prasad Dhungana, former Advisor to the CA. He said the process is stalled as long as the opposition continues the obstruction. Cross-party leaders expect the CA standoff to continue till Jan 22, the deadline for promulgating the constitution. They believe fresh negotiations will start thereafter.

Source: The KAthmandu Post