Big III in bid to rope in Gachhadar

Kathmandu, September 17

Leaders of major political parties — Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and Unified CPN-Maoist — today discussed the post-constitution political course and tried to convince Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum- Democratic to come on board to endorse the constitution.

Top guns of the three parties today met MJF-D Chairman Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar and the talks were on at the time of going to the press.

Sources said Big III were trying to ink a deal with Gachhadar today and if they failed they would try their best tomorrow again.

Constituent Assembly members are scheduled to sign the new constitution between 9:00am and 3:00pm tomorrow.

Parties would focus their efforts on the formation of next government after the promulgation of the new constitution.

As per the transitional provision of the new constitution, if the Parliament session is on, the new prime minister will have to be elected within seven days of the commencement of the new constitution. It means if the session of the Parliament is not prorogued before Sunday, the scheduled date for the announcement of the promulgation of new constitution, the Parliament will have to elect new PM before September 28. And since PM Sushil Koirala is leaving for New York on September 23 to participate in United Nations General Assembly, the current session of Parliament will have to be prorogued to clear the PM’s visit.

Even if the Parliament is prorogued, the President will have to call its new session within seven days of the commencement of the constitution. This means, PM Koirala can remain at the post for about two weeks after the promulgation of the constitution.

Meanwhile, representatives of protesting Tharu outfits — Tharu Kalyankarini Sabha and Tharuwan Joint Struggle Committee today held a meeting with the Big III and told them to release Tharu cadres arrested during protest.

General Secretary of Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum-Democratic Ramjanam Chaudhari said Tharu representatives told leaders of the three major parties that they would hold further rounds of negotiation with them only if they would agree to release Tharu cadres arrested thus far.

Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, UCPN-M Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal and CPN-UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal were present in the meeting. Chaudhari said the leaders of the Big III parties expressed their commitment to releasing Tharu cadres.

Other Tharu leaders who held meeting with the leaders of the Big three parties included Gopal Dahit, Dhani Ram Chaudhari, Sant Kumar Chaudhari, Aman Lal Modi, Rukmini Chaudhari, Raj Kumar Lekhi and Malamati Rana Tharu.

Meanwhile, UML Chair KP Sharma Oli today met President Yadav and they discussed ways to remove obstacles for the CA to pass the new constitution.

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