NC and UML near consensus on having President promulgate constitution

KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress and CPN UML leaders have agreed that the President should promulgate the new constitution. The understanding comes at a time when both parties are at odds over the issue along with other Constituent Assembly rules.

Nepali Congress’s leader Ananda Prasad Dhungana said that the CPN UML will agree to his party’s proposal of having the President promulgate the new constitution along with other contending issues, while speaking at an internaciton program organized by the Reporters Club Nepal on Sunday.

Referring to other contending issue, Dhungana informed that a committee would be formed comprising members from other political parties to make rules and regulations for the CA at the program presided by the Reporters Club Nepal’s President Rishi Dhamala.

“We are confident that NC and UML will resolve all contentions through consensus including the promulgation of the new constitution through the President,” he said adding that the issue on forming caucus bodies within the CA and on the authority of respective parties of issuing whip orders to such caucuses. He informed both parties will do whatever needs to be done for promulgating the new constitution within a year.

CPN UML leader Bhim Rawal speaking on the same occasion said that his party does not have objection with the President promulgating the new constitution signed by the lawmakers and authenticated by the CA Chairman.

While conceding to the existence of contentions on authenticating the new constitution, Rawal said that both parties have neared understanding on providing the right to promulgate the new constitution to the President after lawmakers sign it and certified by the CA Chairman.

“We have neared consensus on making this new provision active in the CA rules and regulations,” Rawal said adding that both parties were unison on core contentions which includes the federalizing the nation into multiple identity states.

Speaking on the same occasion, UCPN-Maoist’ leader Agni Prasad Sapkota flayed both – NC and UML- for indulging in ‘meaningless’ debates and warned that his party wont participate in the local body elections unless the new constitution is promulgated.

In a different not he called on for including the Mohan Baidya lead CPN-Maoist party in the constitution drafting process even if takes holding referendum or round-table conference, as demanded by the later.

He said,” Baidya led party has shown greater flexibility in constitution making process. We should also co-operate with them and bring them aboard to expedite the constitution writing process.”