The government on Thursday tabled a bill for amendment in the Interim Constitution to extend the term of Constituent Assembly (CA) by one more year at the parliament secretariat.

Law minister Prabhu Shah registered the bill at the parliament secretariat soon after the cabinet meeting endorsed it. Health minister Shakti Basnet and education minister Ganga Lal Tuladhar accompanied him to the secretariat.

If the House endorses the proposal, it would be the second extension of CA’s term in two years.

Earlier today, an “all-party” meeting decided to extend the tenure of the CA, which is due to expire on May 28.

Leaders of different political parties including the ruling allies meet at Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal’s office in Singha Durbar on Thursday, 12 May 2011. The Nepali Congress and Madhesi parties boycotted the meeting that passed the Prime Minister’s proposal to extend the Constituent Assembly’s term by one year. nepalnews.com/ANA

Leaders of different political parties including the ruling allies meet at Prime Minister…
The meeting was held at the Prime Minister’s office in Singha Durbar after a meeting of the three main ruling parties decided to extend the CA’s term by one year. Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal called the meeting soon after returning to the country after cutting short his Turkey visit.

Nepali Congress, Terai Madhesh Loktantrik Party, MJF-Loktantrik and Sadbhawana Party boycotted the meeting.

At the meeting, representatives of most of the smaller parties suggested the government and the main ruling parties to bring the proposal for the extension of the assembly’s deadline only after working out a clear roadmap of the peace process and the constitution-drafting.

Talking to media persons after the meeting, Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal said the meeting agreed to come up with a clear road map to complete the peace process prior to May 28 so as to form the basis for the extension of the Constituent Assembly’s term once again.

He said that he also put forth his party’s views regarding the modality for integration of Maoist combatants tabled by Nepal Army.

Emerging from the meeting, UML secretary Yuvaraj Gyawali said that if the CA’s tenure is not extended again then the country may have to face a “major catastrophe”.

In order to avoid such a situation the political parties have agreed to extend CA’s term and take the peace process to a logical end, he said.

However, Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) chairman Pashupati Sumshere Rana, who was also present at the meeting, expressed his objection on the decision taken by the meeting to extend CA’s term.

He was of the opinion that parties should not go for the second extension of CA’s term until a clear cut plan for successful conclusion of the peace process is finalised. nepalnews.com