KATHMANDU: A parliamentary party meeting of the main opposition, UCPN-Maoist, today directed its Constituent Assembly (CA) members to devote their time and energy in the constitution-making process. The meeting cited “limited” time for the CA to complete its job.

Party chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” directed the members to play an effective role in the constitution-making process.

Narayan Kaji Shresth, deputy parliamentary leader of the party, told mediapersons at the end of the meeting that Prachanda briefed the

CA members on the current political situation and the party’s role in drafting the new constitution on time set by the Interim Constitution.

Shrestha reiterated the party’s recently taken decision in the standing committee meeting that the party would give top priority to the issues of national independence, peace, constitution and formation of a new national government under the Maoist leadership.

“Formation of the High-Level Political Mechanism (HLPM) is a positive development to end the protracted political deadlock, though a political section is dead against it,” Shrestha quoted Prachanda as telling the members.

Today’s meeting also passed a resolution stating that the HLPM should be made more

effective to end the

political deadlock.

Shrestha said the HLPM’s topmost priority should be ending the

political impasse. He

said the processes of integrating Maoist fighters living in UNMIN-monitored camps and drafting the new constitution should be completed simultaneously.