Kathmandu, August 26

Leaders of major political parties today said there was still room to amend the “Revised Bill” of the new constitution and differences on disputed issues can still be ironed out through talks.

Taking part in the discussion on the final draft of the new constitution that began today in the Constituent Assembly, the leaders, however, said they would not stop the constitution drafting process.

Prime Minister Sushil Koirala said, “I am ready to sit for talks.” Stating that the new constitution would be a document of compromise, Koirala said all concerns of all sides could not be addressed in the constitution but everyone’s concerns could be addressed through amendments. The constitution-making process should move ahead as scheduled, he said.

CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli said attempts were being made to provoke people to indulge in violence, disrupt social harmony and play with the emotions of others.

Unified CPN-Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal said, “Staging peaceful protests against the draft constitution is natural but killing people is condemnable.” Dahal said the draft constitution had not addressed the concerns of many oppressed communities, including Tharus and Madhesis.

“However, we should be proud of the draft constitution as it will eventually end discrimination and ensure progress,”

he said. The new statute is going to become a document of compromise between the progressive and traditional forces, Dahal added.

He appealed to the Madhesi leaders not to quit the CA and urged them to sit for talks.

He added that the constitution drafting process should not stop.

Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal Chairman Kamal Thapa said the draft constitution was not a document of compromise but the outcome of selfishness of power-hungry leaders.

As many as 88 CA members took part in discussion on the final draft of the constitution today, according to CA secretariat’s assistant spokesperson Sudarshan Kuinkel. Since 450 of the 601 members have registered their names for discussion, the debate on the final draft is likely to go on for another three-four days .

Gachhadar threatens to quit CA

KATHMANDU: MJF- Democratic Chairman Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar, addressing the CA meeting, said only the eight- province model could address the concerns of Tharus. “I condemn the Kailali incident,” he said. However, if the concerns of the Tharus were not addressed through an amendment proposal, the MJF-D will quit the constitution drafting process, Gachhadar said.