POKHARA: Senior leader of Nepali Congress Sher Bahadur Deuba today expressed doubt on the timely draft of the new constitution.

Speaking at a press conference organised by the Kaski chapter of Press Union, Deuba said, "The statute will be drafted but could be delayed by six months or a year."

"As the new statute should last several years, a sustainable constitution should be drafted," he said. Stating that the ongoing agitation of the Unified CPN-Maoist had no meaning, he urged the former rebels to hold dialogue with the government by giving up their agitation.

"Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' talks good but acts on the contrary," Deuba said. "Consensus will stay if the Maoist chairman keeps his words."

He said the Maoist fighters would not receive their salary and allowances if the budget was not passed from the parliament on time. Deuba asked the UCPN-M to respect democratic norms. He said the Young Communist League was creating violence and terror. He asked the Maoists to accept the ideas and principles of other political parties.