Kathmandu, August 23

Constitution Drafting Committee Chairman Krishna Prasad Sitaula today tabled the “Reviewed Bill”, the final draft of the new constitution, at the Constituent Assembly meeting amid protest from Madhesi, indigenous and pro-monarchy parties.

CA Chairman Subas Chandra Nembang gave three days to the CA members to study the bill without cutting short the time mentioned in the CA Rules, although earlier the parties were considering to cut short all remaining processes.

Up to 25 CA members of Madhesi and indigenous parties, including those of Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar-led Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum-Democratic, boycotted today’s meeting after their representatives put forth their views. Gachhadar, however, didn’t attend the meeting.

Most members of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal, which has 25 members in the CA, chanted slogans demanding referendum on three issues – republican set-up or constitutional monarchy, Hindu state or not, and federalism or local self-governance – while Sitaula tabled the bill.

“We are going to promulgate the new constitution after eight years by forging maximum consensus and rising above the ideologies of the parties to ensure peace, progress and prosperity,” said Sitaula.

Hinting at Sadbhawana Party, Sitaula said it was not appropriate to quit the CA at the last stage. He requested all agitating parties to come to the talks table.

Members of MJF-D, Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal led by Upendra Yadav, Tarai Madhes Democratic Party led by Mahantha Thakur, Tarai Madhes Sadbhawana Party-Nepal led by Mahendra Ray Yadav, National Madhes Socialist Party led by Sharat Singh Bhandari, MJF-Republican led by Raj Kishor Yadav, Tharuhat Tarai Party-Nepal and Sanghiya Loktantrik Rastriya Manch-Tharuhat boycotted the CA, expressing their dissatisfaction over the seven-province model. They blamed the leaders of three major parties – Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and Unified CPN-Maoist – for dividing the Madhesi-, Tharu- and indigenous people (mainly Magar)-dominant areas while demarcating federal units.

MPs of even NC, UML and UCPN-M and other fringe parties criticised the leaders of their parties for splitting Baglung, Rukum and Nawalparasi districts.

NC member Arjun Prasad Joshi, UML member Shreemayan Thakali, UCPN—M members Keshari Gharti Magar and Ganeshman Pun, Chitra Bahadur KC of Rastriya Janamorcha and Shiva Lal Thapa of Rastriya Janamukti Party criticised the leaders for dividing Rukum and Baglung, going against the wishes of the people.

Jitendra Narayan Dev of MJF-D, Gauri Shankar Chaudhari of UCPN-M and Rukmini Chaudhari of Sanghiya Loktantrik Rastriya Manch (Tharuhat) blamed the leaders for dividing the Tharu- and Madhesi-dominant areas to weaken their unity.

“Rulers from Prithvi Narayan Shah to Mahendra Shah failed to link Tharus and Madhesis to the people of hills and mountains in the real sense. Instead of uniting the people by addressing their concerns, the seven-province model has sought to divide them,” said MJF-D leader Dev, requesting the leaders to “rethink, make correction and prevent conflict” in the country.