Discussion Among Parties Took Pace

Kathmandu, May 25: Leaders of the major political parties have begun discussions since the morning today on the political developments following the Supreme Court’s verdict against the extension of the Constituent Assembly’s term.

The Unified CPN (Maoist) and the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) leaders have begun talks in this connection at UCPN (Maoist) chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s residence at Lazimpat.

Immediately after this meeting, discussions were held between the CPN (UML) president Jhalanath Khanal, Nepali Congress vice-president Ram Chandra Paudel and UCPN (Maoist) chairman Dahal, among other leaders.

Briefing about the UCPN (Maoist)- UDMF meeting, UDMF leader Hridayesh Tripathi said constitution without federalism would not be acceptable to them.

“The Supreme Court verdict has been made in haste, transition not only affects the politics but other bodies as well, ” he said, adding that the prime minister will resign before the constitution is issued as per the five-point agreement. He stressed that utmost efforts would be made to issue the constitution through consensus before May 27.

Minister Tripathi reiterated that the federalism should be based on the reports of the Constituent Assembly’s State Restructuring Committee and the State Restructuring Commission.

Meanwhile, Nepali Congress vice-president Paudel said following the discussions among the leaders of the UCPN (Maoist), the CPN(UML) and the Nepali Congress this morning that the parties have reached a sort of understanding to issue constitution by May 27 itself.

“General discussions have been held on formulating and issuing a constitution by incorporating the topics of the constitution on which the parties have agreed upon so far while leaving the rest to the transformed Parliament,” he said. Paudel also declared that the constitution would be a federal one.

CPN (UML) president Khanal said the party leaders discussed the topic of promulgating the constitution within May 27 and that they would reach consensus by holding further discussions on the disputed issues.

Meanwhile, the meeting of the UCPN (Maoist) standing committee has begun at party chairman Dahal’s house. This meeting is expected to discuss the political situation following the Supreme Court verdict and the talks held with the Nepali Congress and the CPN (UML).