Time is being provided to CA members to ensure ownership of all the political forces

Kathmandu, August 22

Although the major parties were supposed to adopt short-cut method of passing the new constitution, it seems it will take 20 to 30 more days to deliver the constitution in the changed context, even if things go smoothly.

Three signatories of the 16-point agreement of June-8 — Nepali Congress, Unified CPN-Maoist and Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Democratic are preparing to push for providing maximum time to CA members to study the final bill of the new constitution and take part in discussions, register amendment proposals and settle them through voting process, according to sources.

CPN-UML, however, wants to provide minimum time for the process and deliver the statute within the next 15 days.

Nepali Congress Chief Whip Chin Kaji Shrestha said, “Since dissatisfactions have emerged from various corners, we want the CA to follow the process and we want to provide time to the CA members to study the final bill.” It will take minimum 25 days to pass the new constitution if everything goes smoothly, he said.

UCPN-M Chief Whip Girirajmani Pokharel said, “As we are entering the final stage of promulgating the constitution tomorrow, we should provide maximum time to members to record their views in the full House.” Likewise, dissatisfaction has also surfaced in Tharu and Magar dominant areas and there is need to address the issue of Chure range in demarcation of the eastern part, so it could take time, he said, adding, “The new statute could be delivered by second week of September”.

UML Chief Whip Agni Prasad Kharel, however, said that it was not necessary to take more time for the remaining process as the issues had been discussed in the past.

CA Chairman Nembang is considering providing maximum time to ensure ownership of all political forces in the constitution drafting process and to ensure legitimacy.

“Although, the parties, earlier, agreed to adopt short-cut method, I am holding consultations on how much time should be allocated to the remaining process in the new context.”

As the issues including demarcation of federal units, secularism, forms of governance and rights of various groups are still being debated and various parties have divergent opinions, there are high chances that the parties will register amendment proposals to record their views and thus it could delay the process as such proposals should be settled through voting process.

CA Chairman Nembang has called the Constituent Assembly meeting for 6:00 pm tomorrow.

Tomorrow’s meeting will provide three days to CA members to study the “Reviewed Bill” of the new statute after the Constitution Drafting Committee Chairman Krishna Prasad Sitaula tables it, according to Nembang.