Constitution making process in quandary : CPDCC Chair

Kathmandu, Dec 2: Constitutional Political Dialogue and Consensus Committee (CPDCC) Chairman Dr Baburam Bhattarai today said the constitution making process fell into a quandary owing to failure on part of the major political parties to reach an agreement on contentious issues.

After receiving a memorandum from the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) Lalitpur Chapter at his residence, Bhattarai underlined the problem created by the widening polarization among the parties.

In the memo, the FNJ Lalitpur Chapter has urged for a timely delivery of the new constitution.

The CPDCC Chair was skeptical if the constitution would be delivered on time due to the increasing trend of conflict among the parties and the fallout of the parties to reach an agreement with the signatories of the 12-point understanding and the Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA).

He underscored the constitution making as a subject which could not entertain majority and minority voting process while stressing on agreement as the only resolution for the rising dispute.

CPDCC Chair Bhattarai said the constitution must create a sense of ownership among all when it is promulgated on 22 January.

He expressed doubt that the constitution making process had fallen into a predicament with a circulating rumour calling for formation of a national consensual government.

"Although the formation of a national consensual government is not bad in itself I lay a special emphasis on a request to the parties to make it clear whether such a government would be formed before 22 January or after it," Bhattarai said.  

Bhattarai also informed the FNJ delegation that he had postponed the CPDCC meeting until 2 pm on Wednesday to give time for the parties to draft the constitution on basis of an agreement.

"I have heard the parties are holding informal meetings, let us hope they will forge an agreement by Wednesday and if they fail to do so, they must open a new outlet as the disputed issues cannot always remain stuck at the CPDCC," he said adding, "Earlier we had sent the report on 29 August, 29 September and 16 October after agreement, so without an agreement the proposal submitted by the ruling parties cannot be sent."

On the occasion, Bhattarai warned the country would plunge into a serious conflict if there is no agreement. FNJ Lalitpur Chapter Chairman Lekhnath Neupane said the memo was submitted with a demand for a timely constitution. RSS