CA to adjourn to faciliate consultations

Kantipur Report

KATHMANDU, June 5 - Three major political parties-- CPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN (UML) --have agreed to adjourn the Constituent Assembly (CA) session after its resumption tomorrow as they have failed to reach consensus over power sharing and constitutional amendment.

Following parleys at Prime Minister and NC President Girija Prasad Koirala's residence at Baluwatar Monday, the parties have decided to continue their consultations and explore points of agreement.

"We have agreed to adjourn the CA session for the next six or seven days after tomorrow's meeting so as to seek consensus on all the issues," said NC General Secretary Bimalendra Nidhi. The Maoists proposed to adjourn the CA session. During the meeting, Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal reiterated his party's stance--the two-third majority constitutional provision for forming and removing the government shouldn't be amended and the top posts (president and prime minister) must go to his party.

NC and UML leaders, however, pressed the Maoist leadership to be ready to amend the interim constitution and bring in a simple majority provision for the formation and removal of the government.

"We haven't yet changed our stance and have asked the NC and UML to change their views," said Maoist senior leader Dr Baburam Bhattarai, who was present during the meeting.

He said the parties realized that they needed more time for consultations and agreed to initiate bilateral and multilateral dialogue towards a consensus following adjournment of the CA tomorrow.

"I hope we will reach a consensus. But the NC and the UML should realize that the constitutional amendment will create further political complications," he said.

The parties have decided that the Maoists, following informal consultations, will call the next meeting.

NC General Secretary Nidhi said the CA meeting on Thursday will form committees to prepare working procedures for the CA and other regulations.

UML General Secretary Jhalanath Khanal, following the meeting, said, "The Maoists have expressed some flexibility toward amending the constitution." He said the constitutional provision on two-third majority for forming and removing the government must be changed into a simple majority in the 'changed political context'.

Posted on: 2008-06-04

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