4 major parties mull new deal on religion, more clarity on citizenship

KATHMANDU: The major four political forces are mulling over reaching a new agreement on the topic of religion and clarifying the unclear issues of citizenship provision in the preliminary draft of the new constitution, taking the people’s suggestions as the basis.

During a meeting held at Prime Minister Sushil Koirala’s official residence in Baluwatar on Tuesday, the top leaders has decided to reach a new understanding on the issue of religion and to clarify further on the provisions pertaining to citizenship on the basis of the people’s feedback, Chairman of the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Democratic Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar said after the meeting.

Gachchhadar said, “The suggestions received from the people have been submitted to the Constituent Assembly (CA) chairman yesterday. The Committee on Citizen Relations is tabling its report on the public suggestions in the CA meeting today. Discussions are underway to settle some major issues. The discussions are moving ahead in the direction of issuing the constitution with delineation of the border of the federal provinces.”

He further said that discussions would be held on Wednesday with the parties which have their reservation on the draft to make the new constitution the document maximally acceptable.

Vice Chairman of the UCPN-Maoist Narayan Kaji Shrestha said that the officials of various constitutional bodies would also be consulted as they would also like to forward their suggestions on the draft constitution.