Peace process successful with promulgation of constitution: Prachanda

KATHMANDU, Oct 14: CPN (Maoist Center) chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said that the peace process has become successful with the promulgation of the constitution from the people-elected Constituent Assembly.

While addressing the last meeting of the legislature-parliament on Saturday, Dahal recalled that it was his party that struggled the most and made the most sacrifice for making the constitution a success. He added, the country reached to the point of issuing the constitution from the second Constituent Assembly as they were concerned and conscious with the failure of the first Constituent Assembly to make the constitution despite enjoying a majority of pro-change forces.

“The peace agreement is related to the issuance of the constitution. The constitution would not be made had there been the guarantee of the success of the peace process. For that purpose, I took the risky decision of integration of the Maoist combatants into the Nepal Army even at the cost of the party’s split,” he further added.

Stating that thousands have sacrificed their lives for ensuring the rights of the poor, oppressed, indigenous nationalities, Madhesi, Tharu, Muslim and women in the constitution, he said but the constitution has come as a document of compromise and not as every community would like to have it.

“Many progressive and transformation issues have been addressed in this constitution. I would like to assure of my sincerity to the justified demands of the Madhesi community although these issues could not be addressed through amendment to the constitution. I believe the coming parliament too would pursue constitution amendment and revision to achieve national unity and prosperity,” the Maoist Centre chairman said.

He also stated that the leftist alliance that has been forged in view of the upcoming elections should not be construed as ‘communist authoritarianism’ because according to him this alliance is not directed against anyone.

“This alliance is an outcome of ideological principles and of long efforts. We will be in a kind of collaboration with the Nepali Congress also. The Maoist Centre would not exit from the government because of the alliance. We are together in the shared responsibility of conducting the elections,” he reiterated.

Mahendra Raya Yadav of the Rastriya Janata Party said that the constitution was not inclusive of and accommodative towards the indigenous nationalities and Madhesis, stressing on the need of amending it as per their demands.

Chairman of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), Kamal Thapa, recalling that his party had supported the constitution by remaining unchanged in its ideals, underlined the need for all the political parties to work together for the implementation of the constitutiona nd promotion of nationality.

Dr Subodh Kumar Pokharel of the Nepal Loktantrik Forum said his party would also have signed on the constitution in support of it had there been provision for the delineation of the federalism through a commission.