Former members call for CA's reinstatement

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

KATHMANDU: Former Constituent Assembly members of six political parties today stressed that the CA should be reinstated for a short period to resolve the constitutional and political crisis and promulgate the new constitution.

At an interaction programme organised by some former CA members of the six parties at the International Convention Centre, they said that the only alternative to the national crisis is reinstating the CA.

Over 100 former CA members of the Unified CPN-Maoist, Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, CPN-Maoist, Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (Republic) and CPN (United) were present at the interaction programme.

Representing those who are want the CA’s reinstatement from the six parties are Kalpana Dhamala of the UCPN-M, Shobhakar Parajuli of the NC, Lalbabu Pandit of the CPN-UML, Niru Darlami of the CPN-Maoist, Chandrika Prasad Yadav of MJF (R) and Kalpana Rana of CPN (United) univocally suggested the leaders of major political parties that the parties should resolve the unsettled issues of the new statute prior to the CA’s reinstatement.

The former CA members also asked the leaders of major parties to give up power tussle and come to the negotiating table to resolve the national problems affecting the country. The shortest and easiest way of bringing the country back to the constitutional and political track is reinstating the CA by holding consensus among the party, they said.

The speakers said that the CA members would be ready to work without pay and perks for winning people's legitimacy.

“We will interact with the leaders of different parties making representation of indigenous, women, Dalits and oppressed groups first and will hold talks with the top leaders of the major parties, chairman and vice chairperson of the dissolved CA to create an atmosphere for the CA’s reinstatement,” said Congress former CA member Mohan Prasad Pandey.

The President can declare the reinstatement of the CA on the recommendation of a national consensus government, Pandey added.

Top leaders of the UCPN-M including chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai, Congress leaders including president Sushil Koirala and senior leader Sher Bahadur Deuba and UML leaders including chairman Jhalanath Khanal have already said publicly that the CA reinstatement could be one alternative to resolve the national crisis.