After public feedback, leaders suggest statute different from 16-pt deal

KATHMANDU: Various leaders of the major political parties said that the 16-point agreement signed among four major political forces should be changed on the basis of suggestions made by general public on the preliminary draft of the constitution.

Speaking at an interaction organised by the National Federation of the Disabled Nepal (NFDN) at the Reporters’ Club in the Capital on Wednesday, CPN-UML Secretary Yogesh Bhattarai underscored that the 16-point pact signed among the four major political forces on June 8 should be amended to address the suggestions of the people on draft constitution.

Saying that 80 percent of the people have suggested for directly elected Prime Minister on the draft constitution, he said that the Nepali Congress should rethink on its stand for Parliament-elected Prime Minister.

He underscored that the new constitution should be promulgated in August by incorporating suggestions of the people.

Stating that no one could bar press from doing its duty, he said that full press freedom should be guaranteed in the new constitution.

Adding that the state should provide special facilities to the disabled people, the UML leader expressed his commitment that he would try his best to incorporate the issues raised by the NFDN in the statute.

Also speaking on the occasion, Nepali Congress leader Prakash Sharan Mahat said that directly elected chief executive system would resolve all the existing problems.

He stated that the new constitution should ensure religious freedom and also settle the issues of citizenship.

Saying that the issues raised by the disabled are genuine, Mahat said that their demands should be incorporated in the fundamental rights of the constitution.

Similarly, UCPN-Maoist leader Lila Mani Pokharel pointed out that all the parties should be ready to amend the 16-point accord to address the suggestions of the general public.