On the day the Constituent Assembly (CA) was to deliver the new Constitution, it saw continued obstruction of the House by Opposition lawmakers even as top leaders held a series of discussions to end standoff but could not reach an agreement.

The Opposition lawmakers resumed their obstruction of the proceedings of the Assembly after the talks broke down among the four political parties. They are against resumption of proceedings of the Assembly until the government withdrew its move to draft the Constitution through the process of majority vote.

Earlier, one of the members from the UCPN (Maoist), Umesh Kumar Yadav broke chairs again in the House, protesting strong security presence and rigorous security check of the CA members, reports said. Mr. Yadav had resorted to vandalism on Monday midnight as well.

Earlier, in a meeting initiated by CA Chairman Subas Nembang, political parties held inter- and intra-party talks on the proposal floated by Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (Loktantrik) Chairman Bijay Kumar Gachchhedar on sending resolved subjects to the Constitution Drafting Committee of the CA and take one more month to resolve the dispute on state restructuring.

According to MJF (Loktantrik) Chief Whip Ram Janam Chaudhary, Mr. Gachchhedar suggested that the subject of electoral system and judiciary be sent to the Drafting Committee since the parties have reached an understanding on them. On model of governance, the parties had agreed that “improved” Westminster parliamentary system would be adopted but it be sent to the committee with a note of dissent on it from the UCPN (Maoist). The party has been advocating a system of directly elected executive President.

On the most intractable issue of federalism, Mr. Gachchhedar said the parties should discuss forming six to nine States, and decide the names and boundaries of new States in the next two months.

While all sides termed the proposal positive, they failed to agree on the way ahead. The Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML wanted to send subjects to the Drafting Committee as proposed. However, the UCPN (Maoist)-led Opposition alliance wanted to limit it to reading out a statement of agreement on it.

The day was marked with tension but all sides exercised restraint. Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN) announced its picketing of CA premises and the central secretariat at Singh Durbar.

Similarly, some civil society members urged the political parties to honour their commitment made a year ago to deliver the Constitution on January 22. They said the Constitution could not be delayed in the name of consensus.

Source: TH