Statute draft open to suggestions

POKHARA: Minister for Information and Communications Minendra Rijal on Wednesday revealed the government’s plan to put the draft of the constitution to discussion and suggestions among people in a few days.

Speaking at a press conference organised by Press Union Kaski chapter here, Rijal claimed that the final constitution shall come into force within one month after incorporating people’s suggestions.

“The statute will get final shape once we receive suggestions regarding the draft,” he said. He added that the draft would be out for suggestion for only a few days due to lack of time.

Calling for support from all political parties in the constitution-making process, Rijal came down heavily on some dissenting political parties that had torn copies of the draft.

“It is a shameful act for any political party. Since the draft was passed by two-third majority of parliament, such protest doesn’t hold any meaning,” he argued. He ruled out speculations that the party was up to prolonging its rule.

“Let me make it clear that our party doesn’t have any lust for power. We are positive about forming a national government once the constitution is promulgated,” he said. He also conveyed the government’s plan to complete rehabilitation and reconstruction works in five years through the Reconstruction Authority.

Constitution copies torched

BIRGUNJ: Cadres of Sadbhavana Party Nepal and Federal Socialist Forum jointly torched copies of the draft of the constitution at Ghantaghar Chowk in Birgunj on Wednesday. Speaking at a corner meeting, SPN and FSF leaders condemned the major parties for bringing the draft through the ‘fast-track’ method. “Whatever the parties have done is unacceptable as they brought the draft without the provision for identity and federalism in the name of fast-track,” said FSF Parsa chairperson Pradip Yadav, warning of stern protest unless the draft was corrected. Various other leaders also said the draft didn’t have any regard for the rights and concerns of Dalits and backward communities.