Leaders close to agreeing on mixed identity-based federalism

KATHMANDU, May 27: 

The meeting of the three major political parties, UCPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML, along with United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) has concluded Saturday afternoon, with the leaders closing in on an agreement to adopt federalism based on mixed identity. 

Maoist lawmaker Lokendra Bistamagar said they have agreed to concede single ethnic identity-based federalism as the CA is posed to face dissolution after some hours. Echoing him, Prithvi Subba Gurung, a UML lawmaker from the ethnic caucus, said they have agreed to have federal states, with their naming based on mixed identity. 

With only hours remaining for the Constituent Assembly (CA) term to expire, top leaders of major political parties engaged themselves in hectic parleys since early Sunday morning in their last-ditch effort to forge consensus on disputed issues, related particularly to federalism.

A dispute resolution subcommittee meeting is taking place in a short while. The leaders have also said they would sit again for talks at the peace and reconstruction ministry after the subcommittee meeting.

Top leaders of the major political parties also held discussion with lawmakers from ethnic, Dalit and other marginalized communities. Madhesi People´s Rights Forum Nepal Chairman Upendra Yadav and Rastriya Janamorcha Chairman Chitra Bahadur KC have also arrived at the meeting venue. 

No new constitution unless a miracle happens: Yadav

Existing from the meeting, MPRF-N Chairman Yadav, who along with ethnic and Dalit and other minority groups leaders had talks with the Maoist top brass, said the prospect of a new constitution is now fast-waning, with only about nine hours left to the deadline to slip. 

"If there is no miracle in the next nine hours, they (the major parties´ leaders) are going to eat up the CA," Yadav said speaking to reporters, adding," I did not see any indication of the top brass talks heading to a positive direction."

Yadav quoting Dahal said NC and UML leaders have been putting pressure on Maoists and Madhesi leaders for not to adopt federalism based on identity. The NC and UML leaders are still not clear about their own agenda regarding federalism, Yadav said, adding that the leaders did not look prepared at all for the CA meeting to take place later today.

PM holds talks with Prez, Maoist Chair Dahal

Early this morning, Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai called on President Dr Ram Baran Yadav at the latter´s official residence in Shital Niwas, Maharjgunj. It is understood that the duo discussed the latest political developments, especially political leaderships´ persistent failure to forge common ground on outstanding issues, and ways to tackle a new situation in case CA fails to promulgate the new constitution today.

Following the talks, PM Bhattarai headed to UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal´s residence in Lazimpat for talks. 

Several rounds of talks held recently among the major political parties have failed after they refused to budge from their stances, specifically regarding naming, delineation and the number of provincial states to be carved out while restructuring the state.

NC and UML have been pressing for multiple identity based federalism with some six to eight provinces, while UCPN (Maoist) and UDMF have insisted on single identity based federalism with 10 or 14 provinces as earlier recommended by State Restructuring Commission and CA thematic committee.

Likewise, NC and UML have stressed that the new constitution should be promulgated leaving the task of naming and delineation of provinces to transformed parliament, an idea Maoists and UDMF have disagreed on. Maoist and Madhesi leaders have also optionally proposed to take the disputes to CA full house for voting, but NC and UML have opposed the proposal. 

With the uncertainty over the CA being able to promulgate the new constitution, the country is faced with a possible serious constitutional vacuum. The Supreme Court has already ruled that the CA, if it fails to meet today´s deadline, would be dissolved leaving the parties limited options including fresh elections and referendum.

Both the Legislature-Parliament and CA meetings are due later in the day.

Security stepped up in the capital

A large number of activists from various groups including ethnic communities and Brahman and Chhetri bodies have been demonstrating on streets some distance away from the CA building in New Baneshwor. 

All private and public vehicles except those belonging to the press have been prohibited on the route from Hanumanthan in Anamnagar to New Baneshwor. 

Security forces have been put on high alert in the capital considering possible escalation of violence in case the CA fails to issue a full-fledged constitution or the CA is dissolved.

As many as 5,000 security personnel from Nepal Police and Armed Police Force have been deployed in the capital , with Nepal Army already on standby to contain any violence.

Source: Republica