Top parties woo protesters for talks

RSS

KATHMANDU: Top leaders of three major political parties and United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) have urged all agitating groups including indigenous nationalities, Tharus and Broader Madhesi Front to withdraw all protest programmes and contribute to the constitution writing process.

The top leaders have pledged to address the concerns of the agitating groups through discussion and dialogues.

Issuing a joint press statement, Chairman of UCPN (Maoist) Pushpa Kamal Dahal, President of Nepali Congress (NC) Sushil Koirala, Chairman of CPN (UML) Jhalanath Khanal and Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (Loktantrik) Bijay Kumar Gachchhadar from the side of Front have urged all the agitating groups for talks and dialogue.

The leaders have urged all sides to put their genuine demands in a restrained manner and democratic way, adding that social goodwill, century-old unity and mutual respect among the castes and ethnic communities were our invaluable assets.

Stating it was necessary to push the country towards prosperity by institutionalising the achievements achieved by the people's movements, the leaders have stressed for unity and goodwill among people of all regions, communities and classes of the country.

The joint statement reads, "Country's dignity could be heightened by strengthening its independence and sovereignty and rights of all can be ensured only through constitution of democratic republic based on federalism. Full support and responsibility of all is needed in this campaign."

The leaders have also condemned the incidents of attack and threat on media persons, political leaders, and cadres, and demolition of the public properties.

Saying some elements were waiting for destabilising the situation not to allow drafting the new constitution by spreading anarchy in the country, the leaders have cautioned that people would be defeated if constitution was not drafted and country was pushed to uncertainty.

"In such a situation, it is our responsibility to maintain peace and social goodwill in the society by respecting demands and expectations of each other without losing temper," the statement further reads.

The leaders have also stated that the constitution writing process has reached the final stage and serious discussions were held at leadership-level and in Constituent Assembly adding that giving an outlet to the country as per people's expectations by forging consensus in the shortest time was being inevitable.

Putting forth the demands of different communities, classes and regions to address them in new constitution was usual and uniformity of such demands could be found if depth of struggles and movements made for a century was grasped.

"Despite our (political parties') ideological differences, we are committed to drafting a constitution that all Nepalis could own though this work is very tough and challenging," the statement further reads.

Prior to releasing the statement, top leaders had discussed with the representatives of agitating indigenous, Tharu, Broader Madhesi Morcha and others.