ITAHARI: Unified CPN-Maoist general secretary Ram Bahadur Thapa ‘Badal’ today expressed doubt on drafting the constitution on time.

Speaking at a press conference organised by the Sunsari chapter of Revolutionary Journalists’ Association, Badal said, “As CPN-UML and Nepali Congress are guided by foreign forces, there is a risk that the constitution might not be drafted on time.”

He said the UML and the NC did not want the Maoists to lead the government, nor did they wish to take the peace process to a logical conclusion.

Informing that efforts were on to end the political deadlock, Badal said, “The parties could reach a consensus after Tihar and Chhath festivals.” He said his party was employing all means to end the stalemate. The Maoist leader expressed hope that the parties could agree on a common resolution motion. “The agitation in parliament will be strengthened should there be no agreement in the sankalpa prastav,” he said, adding that their demands should be addressed in a package. Badal said democratic means should be adopted to address contentious issues.