UML PP dept calls for political consensus

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

KATHMANDU: The parliamentary department of the CPN-UML today discussed the post-Constituent Assembly (CA) scenario and concluded that it would be impossible to hold yet another CA election due to “constitutional, legal and political complications”.

“Political consensus is a must among major political parties to overcome these complications,” UML secretary Shankar Pokharel who is also a member of the party’s parliamentary department said.

He also alleged that the Baburam Bhattarai-led government had deliberately let the CA get dissolved so as to not hold its next election on November 22, but to prolong the Maoist autocracy.

He, however, stressed the need to forge political consensus among parties to hold another CA election in a free, fair and impartial manner.

“The Interim Constitution is a consensual political document between the former rebel Maoists and the then seven-party alliance,” Pokharel said, adding that works carried out by the CA thematic committees were also the outcomes of mutual understanding among parties.

“The CA died by itself as the parties failed to reach consensus on some key political issues,” he said, stressing the need to find political consensus if the next CA election was to be held to adopt the new constitution.

He also said that solution to the constitutional complexities could be found through consensus.

Meanwhile, sources close to the Prime Minister said that the latter would invite leaders of major political parties to discuss issues related to constitutional, legal and political complications in a day or two, after the parties concluded their internal discussions.

Meanwhile, erstwhile UML CA member Pasang Sherpa, who is also a member of the party’s foreign department today announced he was quitting the party. He accused it of going against the issues of the Janajatis.

He held the UML responsible for the CA’s demise. He, however, said that he would not launch any new political outfit but would play a role to create a national front of all Janajatis.