JHAPA, July 13

Leaders of the four major parties expressed commitment to deliver the much-awaited constitution by mid-August.

Prime Minister and Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala, CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli, UCPN-Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Democratic Chair Bijay Kumar Gachhadar expressed their commitment to promulgate the new constitution within the next month at an inaugural ceremony of late Girija Prasad Koirala’s memorial building in Bhadrapur of Jhapa on Monday.

They said no force could now hinder the constitution promulgation process. Speaking on the occasion, PM Koirala said, “The country can develop only through consensus, cooperation and support. Now, the ruling and opposition parties are united in pushing forward the task of constitution writing.” He also claimed that no one should doubt the constitution writing process now.

“The first draft of the constitution has been dispatched to the people. It will get the finishing touches after inclusion of people’s feedback within a month,” he said.

Unified CPN-Maoist Chair Dahal said that all the leaders were committed to promulgating the constitution. Hence, they were jointly working for the same. “The country will witness the constitution by mid-August,” he claimed. Reminiscing about late Girija Prasad Koirala, he said that his dream would be fulfilled soon.

CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli said the constitution writing process had reached the final stage. “Now nobody can derail the constitution writing process,” he claimed.

Oli said they would give a good response to those who talk about social and regional fragmentation by raising the issue of Madhes and hills instead of talking about unity and development of the country. “As the leaders of all the major parties are devoted to early promulgation of the constitution, it will be issued next month. Our presence in this programme is evidence of this and the message of unity must be disseminated throughout the country,” he said.

Forum Democratic Chairman Gachhadar said the leaders were moving ahead in unity for peace, constitution and prosperity in accordance with the guidelines of late GP Koirala.

Local Development Officer Phanindra Dahal informed that the estimated cost of the memorial building was Rs 127 million.

Shah Construction Company, Dhapasi, Kathmandu had been contracted to complete the project within two years.