Kathmandu, November 8:

A delegation of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) today submitted separate memorandums to the CPN-UML, the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) and the Sadbhawana Party (SP) and expressed its concern about the delay in the process for writing a new constitution, even though seven months have already passed since the Constituent Assembly elections.

Led by FNJ president Dharmendra Jha, the delegation met Minister for Supply and Commerce and SP chairman Rajendra Mahato and MJF general secretary Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav in their respective party offices and cautioned them that democratic republic would not be institutionalised without writing the constitution on time.

The delegation later met UML general secretary Jhala Nath Khanal at the UML parliamentary party office in Singha Durbar and told him that time was running out for serving the very purpose for which the CA was elected.

Talking to the delegation, Mahato said there would be “Jana Andalon III” if the parties failed to write the new constitution that can guarantee inclusion of several communities and groups in the state mechanism. “Madhesis will lead such agitation.”

He was of the opinion that Constituent Assembly members need to respect the party whip at least in institutionalising the country as a federal democratic republic, as promised in their parties’ manifestos. MJF leader Yadav said his party would do its bit to make the state inclusive in nature.

Similarly, the UML leader Khanal said the FNJ’s role would be crucial in pressuring the parties to draft the new constitution on time. “Press freedom and human rights are the hallmarks of the UML’s model of new Nepal,” Khanal said. FNJ president Jha said the journalists’ umbrella body has a duty to institutionalise republic. “We want press freedom and freedom of expression enshrined as unchangeable articles in the new constitution,” he added.