UCPN-Maoist key hurdle on statute writing: Paudel

TANAHUN: Vice president of Nepali Congress Ram Chandra Paudel today said the UCPN-Maoist was the main obstacle in the statute drafting process.

Talking to mediapersons in Damauli, Paudel said the former rebels wanted to draft the constitution at gunpoint and not as per popular aspiration.

He added that the Maoist fighters should be managed before the promulgation of the new statute and the weapons surrendered to the government.''The statute can be drafted within the stipulated time if the political parties forge a consensus,'' Paudel said, adding that an internal conflict could erupt if the statute could not be drafted on time. ''Only the constitution which is drafted following the due procedure will be sustainable.''

The NC vice president inaugurated the second Rishing Cultural Festival in Dharung today. He said such events could be fruitful for the social, economic and cultural development of the locality. The fair has a number of stalls of food and herbal medicines. The organisers said over 1,000 visitors visited the festival on the first day.