Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal addressed the nation for the first time on Tuesday, expressing his commitment to the 5-point deal forged among the major political parties for peace and the constitution. Khanal made his address to the nation from the National Planning Commission Assembly Hall at 4PM.
He said that since there is no other body apart from the Constituent Assembly (CA) which is assigned to accomplish the tasks of peace process and constitution drafting, it was essential to save the CA to prevent the country from plunging into deeper crisis. He said that the deal has given hope for accomplishing the pending tasks of peace process and constitution drafting. Khanal apologised for the delay in accomplishing the twin tasks of drafting the new constitution and completing the peace process, despite the extension last year.
Lauding the UCPN-Maoist role on peace and constitution, PM Khanal said the decision taken by the Maoist was admirable despite the difficult situation. He claimed that the ex-Maoist combatants have come under the Special Committee for the Supervision, Integration and Rehabilitation of former Maoist combatants practically. He also said that some understandings have been forged on the basic issues for the statute drafting process. The PM urged the main opposition party Nepali Congress to initiate necessary efforts for a national consensus government since consensus was the key to all the problems.
During the 15 minute address he also reaffirmed that he is ready to resign to give a way out to the current political impasse for a national consensus government.