After a week of political brinkmanship, on Friday the parties agreed that the only way to diffuse the present situation was through timely declaration of constitution because failing to do so would not only lead to a void but also unleash a flurry of street protests that could easily drag the nation into an ethnic conflict. The leaders of major parties even tried to seek another extension against the SC verdict to ease their problems but the interim order issued by the apex court and the protest from all sections including majority of the lawmakers in the CA. In this regard, the informal agreement between Nepali Congress,the Maoists and Madhesi Front is significant. The leaders have decided to clinch the issue later in the day after CPN-UML joins the meeting.
Meanwhile, in the UML parliamentary party meeting in Singhadurbar on Saturday morning Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal proposed appealing to the President to expel the Prime Minister and the government in order to pave way for a consensus government. Although, the party has not officially stated what transpired in the meeting, outraged Janajati, Dalit and Madhesi lawmakers from the party spoke to the media outside the meeting hall and threatened quitting the party if it makes such moves.The all-party meeting called for 8 AM on Saturday had been delayed due to UML’s internal meeting. The meeting is now scheduled to take place at 1 PM.
Less than 36 hours remain for Nepal’s Constituent Assembly deadline to expire. Never in the last four years, has the nation anticipated the declaration of the constitution with such conviction. The Supreme Court’s verdict in November may have expedited the process but it is the crystalisation of the debate on governance form and federalism that has given people hope that it the nation will see the statute on time. Most of the influential parties have already made their positions clear and as of, they broadly stand on two ends. NC and UML want a parliament elected executive Prime Minister while the Maoists and the Madhesi parties want a directly elected President. On federalism, NC and UML want are wary of identity based federalism while the Maoists and the Madhesi parties want an identity based federalism. Both sides are clear that the proposed mixed model will lead to clash of power between the executives and have agreed not to raise issue of front rights in the federalism debate. The parties have also decided that they would seek solution through consensus and in absense of one, the issue would be put up for voting in the CA. It is in this backdrop that the decisive talks are taking place that could finally end four years of transition and lead to declaration of constitution on May 27.
Anurag Acharya