Kathmandu, May 31

Nepali Congress vice-president Ram Chandra Poudel said today that drafting of the new constitution would be impossible without the management of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) combatants and their weapons.

Speaking at an interaction organised here today, Poudel said the existence of two armies was the main obstacle in the process of taking the peace process to a logical end and drafting the new constitution as per the people’s aspiration. He also said all parties should embrace democratic norms and values. “In democracy, no parties should have army and weapons,” he said, referring to the Unified CPN-Maoist.

Poudel also claimed the cabinet would take final shape by tomorrow evening. “The NC will send its list of ministers within tomorrow,” he added. Poudel also requested the Maoists to come to a consensus rather than going for agitation. He also urged the former rebels to give up the politics of violence. He was upbeat about the UCPN-M joining the government. But he didn’t elaborate on the issue.

NC to decide today

Kathmandu: Nepali Congress (NC) leaders on Sunday said that the names to be sent to the government from the party will only be finalised after the number and portfolios on the share of NC would be finalised. General Secretary Bimalendra Nidhi said, “We will talk on Monday and decide who would lead the NC team in the government.”

NC senior leaders also met party president Girija Prasad Koirala in Maharajgunj today to discuss the issue. “We briefed president Koirala about the decisions and suggestions of yesterday’s Central Committee and Parliamentary Party meetings. The President instructed us to resolve the issue at the earliest by holding talks with UML and other allies,” Nidhi said. The NC central members and Constituent Assembly (CA) members during yesterday’s CC and PP meetings had suggested that an inclusive team be sent to the cabinet. — HNS