UCPN (M), NC now talk CA rebirth
KATHMANDU, OCT 09 -
Despite an earlier understanding among major political forces to go for a fresh mandate to seek a way out of the present impasse, two prominent parties—UCPN (Maoist) and Nepali Congress—have not given up on the possibility of a new constitution being promulgated by a revived Constituent Assembly.
The two parties have begun discussions on such a possibility three weeks after they decided to go for fresh CA elections.
In talks with top NC leaders on Monday, UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal proposed reviving the CA to draft a new constitution. Dahal said this is much less riskier than holding fresh polls. Dahal’s proposal followed discussions among Maoist office bearers on the same on Monday.
The NC leadership reportedly told Dahal that it has no objections to CA revival if contentious issues of the new constitution are resolved.
On September 19, three major parties had agreed to start discussions on holding fresh elections by clearing constitutional and legal hurdles. However, a series of talks among the parties failed to make headway on a unity government and the procedure of holding the elections. In Monday’s talks, the UCPN (Maoist) and the NC also made an understanding to hold talks with other parties to end the current deadlock.
“We have agreed to hold talks with other parties as well by adopting flexibility instead of reiterating our previous position,” said UCPN (Maoist) Vice-chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha. “Earlier, Dahal had proposed a fresh mandate, but today he proposed CA revival. I am happy because I am in CA revival’s favour,” said senior NC leader Sher Bahadur Deuba.
Through NC General Secretary Krishna Prasad Sitaula, Dahal is trying to convince NC President Sushil Koirala on the revival of the CA. NC leaders Deuba and Ram Chandra Poudel are in favour of CA revival.
A Maoist leader said Dahal is of the view that the present composition of the parties will not change much even if they head for the polls.
“There is no alternative to making a compromise on contentious issues of the constitution even if we go for elections, and as such, we should promulgate a new constitution through a revived CA,” a leader close to Dahal said.
Source: The Kathmandu Post
