Biratnagar, January 3:

Vice-president Paramananda Jha, speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the 2nd National Homeopathic Conference organised by the Nepal Homeopathic Physicians’ Association here today, urged all the Tarai- based armed groups to hold talks with the government to help resolve the crisis facing the country.

Jha said, “Several parts of the Madhes region were witnessing murders, violence and abductions daily. The armed groups should not take the law in their hands but help the government,” he said. Jha also emphasised that it was necessary for all the parties to give top priority to drafting the new constitution. He criticised all those who said the constitution could not be drafted on time.

Meanwhile speaking to journalists on his role as vice-president, Jha opined that the post of the vice-president should be more active giving him legal rights in a written form. “Due to the lack of legal rights, the government and political parties have been ignoring the post of the vice-president even though it can play a significant role to take the peace process to a logical conclusion.”

Stating that the post of the vice-president was important, he claimed he could play a positive role in ending the rivalries between the political parties. “The government, as well as the political parties, never come to me to take suggestions. I want to know why is it so?” complained Jha, adding he was not able to do anything for the country though he had a keen desire to do so.

He added that he had to remain idle since the interim constitution had not clearly mentioned the works, duties and rights of the vice-president. “The vice-president should be given added responsibilities and the political parties should do something about it,” said Jha, suggesting to clearly mention the vice-president’s responsibilities in the new constitution.

Saying that nobody heard his repeated concern about the limited role of the vice-president, he said, “I have been compelled to remain idle since the law has limited my rights and responsibilities.”