Nepalgunj, December 10:

CPN-UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal today said that it would take two or three more days to finalise the interim constitution.

Speaking at a press conference organised by the Press Chautari Nepal at the airport here, Nepal said, “We are working to finalise the interim constitution. The talks team has been working on this, and a meeting of the eight parties will finalise it in two or three days.” He claimed that the drafting of the interim statute was delayed due to the working style of the government.

“After promulgating the interim constitution, all issues will be dealt with on a war-footing,” said Nepal. He added that he was trying to initiate the process of the constituent assembly (CA) polls within a week of the promulgation of the interim constitution and formation of the interim parliament as well as interim government.

Saying that the election to the constituent assembly should be held by mid-June 2007, Nepal said, “The activities of the government and other parties indicate, however, that the CA polls may not be held by that deadline.”

“If things proceed at this pace, the CA elections won’t be held even in four years,” said Nepal, adding, “The CPN-UML will not agree if the date of the CA polls is extended beyond mid-June 2007.”

Nepal said his party also has not decided yet regarding who will lead the party in the interim government. “Republican forces may adjust seats in the CA polls,” he said.