KATHMANDU, Sept 19: The then President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav announced the promulgation of Constitution of Nepal, 2015 (2072) at a special meeting of the Constituent Assembly on September 20, 2015. Yadav, also the first ever President of Nepal, announced the commencement of the new Constitution despite having some dissent towards it. How has aspects of the the implementation of the constitution been these two years?

Here is an interview between the former President Yadav and senior journalist Rishi Dhamala focusing on the above issues.

It has been two years since the new Nepal Constitution was promulgated. How have you comprehended these two years?

The promulgation expedition started after the seven points understanding was made between the seven political parties and Nepal Communist Party (Maoist Center) in 2005. The same expedition promulgated the constitution. But the first Constitution Assembly could not write the constitution ultimately frustrating the mandate given by the People’s Movement. Democratic republic Nepal with federalism was the requisite of the constitution. After the first Constitution Assembly failed to write constitution, I was doubtful that they were not serious about the new-found republic system.

The second Constitution Assembly was successful to promulgate Nepal’s constitution, which brought Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, Maoist Center and Madhes-centered parties together. During the promulgating, we, supposedly, had to compromise on some issues. But, they were in Nepal’s interest.

Did the constitution writing accelerate after the 2015 earthquake?

The earthquake hit Nepal while constitution writing was in progress. It is true that the promulgation gained momentum after the devastating earthquake. But the big political parties could not understand me. They had said that the Constitution Assembly would be changed into House of Representatives, and which would resolve the Madhes issues and federalism disputes. But, since the Supreme Court suggested resolving the issues through Constitution Assembly, I stood as the protector and keeper of the constitution.

I was also not happy with the fact that promulgation was done in haste, without going through a certain process.

Hadn’t you asked the political parties to put off promulgation date?

No clause-wise discussion was carried out during the promulgation process, which was a obvious mistake as it’s not a constitutional process. I had asked the Constitution Assembly Chairperson Subash Nembang, the then Prime Minister Sushil Korala and the political parties, but they didn’t realize it. I had no wish to hold to the post of president for 7 years and 3 months. I was elected for two years though.

It was my aim to bring acceptable and inclusive constitution. The constitution was hinting at obvious error that a community and a region were left out. I was of the opinion to take Madhes-based parties into confidence. That’s why I had suggested deferring the promulgation date by 15 days or one month.

Why was it important to postpone the promulgation date?

I want to remind that fact that, during the first Madhes movement, I had told that people of Hill and Madhes are brothers. I had appealed for harmony and institutionalization of change. I had told that we should not leave Madhes behind in the process so that there would be integrity in geological diversity.

But it is said that if the date was deferred then, the constitution would not have been promulgated. And why did you promulgate the constitution at the Constitution Assembly?

I believe in democracy. The constitution was signed by 90 percent of the lawmakers including lawmakers from Madhes-centered parties. Likewise, 52 lawmakers from Nepali Congress party, 27 from CPN-UML had signed the constitution. The constitution was endorsed by the Constitution Assembly. But we could have written better constitution.

I had asked the then PM Koirala to keep the issues of inclusion, proportion and citizenship exact as it was in the interim constitution because it (interim constitution) was drafted in agreement of all the political parties. I had some disagreements regarding the constitution. But I announced the commencement of the new constitution because I believe in democracy.

But if you had taken stand and convinced the political parties, wouldn’t the implementation of constitution be easier now?

I did what I should have from my side. I accepted a democratic process.

KATHMANDU, July 21: A book titled ‘Outline of Nepali Congress History Part-II” has been launched.

Former President Dr Ram Baran Yadav launched the book amidst a program organized on the occasion of the 35th death anniversary of party veteran leader and first people’s elected Prime Minister of Nepal, Bishweshwor Prasad Koirala, in the capital on Friday.

The 886-page book is penned by former lawmaker and treasurer of Jananayak BP Koirala Memorial Trust, Puroshottam Basnet, who has already published the first part of the book.
The Part-I is about the party history dating back to its established to 2011 BS developments while the part-II has highlighted on the country’s political developments and party activities from 2011 BS to 2017 BS.

The price of the book published by the Trust itself is Rs 1,000.

On the occasion, the former President said the NC history was not alone the history of a particular party nevertheless it reflected the socio, economic, educational and cultural history of the country. The book is the live history of democracy, according to him.

Underlining the need of unity among the three political parties to address the problems facing the county, he demanded the parliament to proceed with the constitution amendment proposal to take to its destination either to the approval or a failure.

NC general secretary Sashank Koirala said the BP’s reconciliation policy was equally relevant today, calling on the party’s topmost leadership to further strengthen the party which according to him has been marginalized currently.

NC leader and Finance Minister Gyanendra Bahadur Karki, terming BP as among the ‘rare leaders’ in the world who had the capacity to lead the revolution and to rule as well, said BP’s goal to upgrade the all Nepali to the status of middle-class people was yet to be met due to trade deficit. He was of the view of making the country self sufficient.

Former Speaker Daman Nath Dhungana opined that there was still threat against the democracy even after the abolishment of Rana and Shah regimes in the country. He added that the democracy and people should be connected strongly for the sustainability of the democracy.

While commenting the book, constitutional law expert Dr Bipin Adhikari viewed that the book has clearly mentioned the objectives of NC’s establishment in the country. He further demanded NC’s senior leaders’ perspective regarding the judiciary adding that BP never tried to politicize in the judiciary.

The trust general secretary and lawmaker Ram Chandra Pokharel shared the second volume was published after the then NC President Girija Prasad Koirala termed that the first volume was authentic for the study of NC’ history.

The book writer Basnet also shared that former party presidents Krishna Prasad Bhattarai and Girija Prasad Koirala and leader Ramhari Joshi inspired him to bring the second volume.

The trust member Kiran Yadav, former Minister Baldev Sharma Majgainya, trust vice chair Shriharsha Koirala and literary figure Sandhya Pahadi had shed light on the contribution of leader Koirala. RSS

KATHMANDU: Nepal’s President Dr Ram Baran Yadav has invited top leaders of major three political parties—UCPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress and CPN (UML) to hold discussions on he current political and constitutional crises this evening.

The meeting is scheduled for 6:00 this evening. Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai, UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, NC President Sushil Koirala, CPN (UML) Chairman Jhalanath Khanal and other top leaders of the major parties would meet the President, the patron of the constitution and guardian of the politicians in the country.

The relation between the ruling UCPN (Maoist) and opposition parties is not hunky-dory lately after both the factions were vocal critics to each other.

The UCPN (Maoist) has proposed for forming a CJ-led government for holding the fresh CA elections while the opposition parties have termed this just the Maoists’ ploy to remain in power. Instead, the oppositions are charging the Maoists and current coalition parties of imposing totalitarian ruling in the country.