Kathmandu, September 15

Constituent Assembly today passed a motion fixing the special programme for the promulgation of the new constitution at 5:00pm on September 20.

The CA passed the resolution after the chief whips of three major parties — the Nepali Congress, the CPN-UML and the Unified CPN-Maoist — moved a proposal in the apex body demanding to fix a date and time for the promulgation of the new constitution.

NC Chief Whip Chin Kaji Shrestha, UML Chief Whip Agni Prasad Kharel and UCPN-M Chief Whip Giriraj Mani Pokhrel had moved the motion as per Rule 49 of the CA Rules.

Earlier, Constituent Assembly Chair Subas Chandra Nembang had met President Ram Baran Yadav and invited him to announce the commencement of the new constitution on September 20.

Nembang told THT that he extended the invitation to the President and he was confident that the Head of State would announce the promulgation of the constitution on the stipulated time.

Nembang said the adoption of the motion was in accordance with the CA Rules.

A source privy to the meeting of the President and the CA chair, however, said the President told the CA chair that he would talk to the prime minister, take stock of the situation and respond to him. The source said the CA chair told the President that the prime minister would not be available in the country after September 20, hence the urgency to promulgate the constitution by September 20.

When asked if the CA motion was intended to pressure the President to come to the announcement programme, UML Kharel said the President had no authority to challenge the work of the CA and the motion was adopted to inform the CA members when the President would announce the commencement of the constitution.

According to assistant spokesperson for CA Secretariat Sudarshan Kuikel, the President told the CA chair that he would consult the PM about the programme. “It is normal for the President to consult the government before taking part in such a formal programme,” Kuikel said when asked if there was any difference between the CA chair and the President as reported by media. President’s Press Adviser Rajendra Dahal told THT that the President accepted the CA chair’s invitation.

President concerned

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Sushil Koirala met President Ram Baran Yadav on Tuesday. According to sources, the President drew PM’s attention towards difficulties the residents of Tarai had been facing due to prolonged general strike. The President also told the PM that shortage of essential commodities could also trigger violence. “The government must take care of the Tarai region. Life in half of the country has been crippled for almost a month. The government must address the concerns of the people who live in Tarai,” a source quoted the President as telling the PM.