Consensus govt sidelines fed

THT ONLINE

KATHMANDU: The meeting of the four big political forces—the UCPN-Maoist, the Nepali Congress (NC), the CPN-UML, the United Democratic Madhesi Front(UDMF)—over the tangling issues of state reconstructing and forms of governance failed to make any progress today also, after the big wigs devoted much of their time on the chit-chat over the formation of consensus government.

The meeting convened to resolve prickly issues of federalism at the Special Committee’s Secretariat office in Naya Baneshwor ended inconclusively after the issue of forming a consensus government took stage in today’s meeting.

However, parties are slated to meet after 2 pm at the SC’s office as an unflagging attempt to seek consensus amid the state reconstructing complexities, said CPN-UML Chief Jhal Nath Khanal emerging from the inconclusive meet.

Though top leader mulled over the proposed federal models floated by Maoists, NC, CPN-UML, and SRC in today’s meeting, big guns are still at variance on what model to be adopted while federating the country. The ruling UCPN-Maoist has proposed to carve out 10 federal units on the basis of ethnic identity while NC has opposed the Maoist’s proposal by popping up with seven provinces on the basis of economic capability, identity and interdependence of provinces. Nevertheless, CPN-UML’s proposal to federate the country into 10 to 12 federal states has been partially agreed by the NC and the UDMF.

On forms of governance, today’s meeting also failed to finalise the jurisdiction of the President and Prime Minster in the new constitution.

Only 29 days are left to meet the May 27 deadline to promulgate a new statute.