Parties are yet to reach an agreement on key contentious issues of new constitution despite “positive discussions”, including that on authorising federal parliament to name the provinces,
Parties are yet to reach an agreement on key contentious issues of new constitution despite “positive discussions”, including that on authorising federal parliament to name the provinces, according to cross-party leaders.
The major parties–Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, UCPN (Maoist) and Madhes-based parties–are currently engaged in informal bilateral and multilateral talks to resolve the disputed issues.
On federalism, parties are holding discussions to find a compromise on around eight provinces and entrusting the provincial parliament to determine the name of provinces.
Before reaching the conclusion, the meeting between the heads of four parties has decided to hold bilateral talks to resolve outstanding issues of the new constitution at the political level. “We are exploring all possible options to resolve disputed issues of the constitution. So, we want to hold bilateral discussion for a couple of days before sharing the details to the press,” said Law Minister Narahari Acharya, after the meeting.
In a meeting held at his official residence in Baluwatar on Wednesday, Prime Minister and Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala along with CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli, UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and coordinator of the Madhesi Morcha Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar agreed to
hold bilateral meetings before formally announcing their agreement.
Party leaders, however, remain optimistic about forging consensus on the key contentious issues for them to unveil at least a preliminary draft of new constitution by January 22 if not the final. The leaders believe if the preliminary draft is brought along, the CA rules of procedures could be fulfilled in some time.
On electoral system, the parties are close to agreeing on a mixed system but some issues such as participatory and proportional representation of oppressed marginalised communities is yet to be finalised. “We all are more or less agreed on mixed electoral system but the ratio between direct and proportional electoral systems are yet to be sorted out,” UML Secretary Pradeep Gyawali quoted Oli as saying after Wednesday’s meeting.
On forms of government, opposition party believe that the ruling parties will agree on a mixed or French model but there are still differences. The UCPN (Maoist) has ruled out the west ministerial parliamentary model.
Congress leader Purna Bahadur Khadka said there has not been any agreement on contentious issues yet, informing that the top leaders would start agenda-based discussions from Thursday.
Senior Maoist leader Narayan Kaji Shrestha said the parties have no alternative to find a compromise on key contentious issues of new constitution. “There could be consensus on around eight provinces and a provincial parliament could finalise their names. Federalism is not a big deal, the main bone of contention is electoral system which should be inclusive and proportional,” said Shrestha, urging the ruling parties to make the electoral system inclusive.
If the parties resolve the contentious issues, the current Sushil Koirala-led government will be transformed into a national unity government, incorporating the UCPN (Maoist) and Madhes-based parties. “New constitution should be promulgated through consensus and it should happen through the CA,” said Rajendra Mahato, chairman of Sadbhawana Party, arguing that the parties have focused their attention on key issues of the
constitution writing. “The ball is in the ruling parties’ court to bring the constitution on time.”
After meeting with President Ram Baran Yadav on Wednesday, Maoist chief Dahal said there has not been agreement on the name of provinces.
The opposition leaders are demanding all the contentious issues should be resolved in a package deal. But the cross-party leaders say that entrusting the authority to provincial parliament could be one alternative on condition of bringing the constitution by January 22.
Source: http://www.ekantipur.com/