NC panel to advise on constituent assembly

June 6, 2004
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A meeting of the Nepali Congress Sunday formed a committee to discuss the constituent assembly and other issues that could not be decided at the meeting of the Central Working Committee.

The five-member committee comprising of general secretary Sushil Koirala, Ram Chandra Poudel, Chakra Prasad Bastola, Krishna Prasad Sitaula and Mahesh Acharya will present its report within a week.

The committee was formed following a proposal of central leader Narahari Acharya at the meeting demanding that the party agree on a constituent assembly. Some other CWC members had backed his proposal, it is learnt. The CWC meeting ended today.

Talking to reporters following the meeting, Ram Chandra Poudel said the party has kept open the option for constituent assembly. “If attempts to mess with the present constitution continue, a constituent assembly will be the obvious choice,” he said, adding, “We still believe democratic rights can be ensured by the existing constitution.

The NC leader also made it a point to vent ire against the CPN-UML that backed out of the five-party alliance following the appointment of Sher Bahadur Deuba as prime minister. Poudel sai,: “It is proven now the UML was into the agitations for power.”

However, NC leader Sailaja Acharya said chances of the party going for a constituent assembly were none. “The 1990’s constitution is a perfect draft, there is no need for a new constitution,” she said.

The party had on Saturday formally announced on continuing the agitations until “the sovereign rights are fully restored to the people” and ruled out support to Deuba government.

Meanwhile, four political parties, minus the UML, continued their anti-‘regression’ protests today. A rally was taken out from Ratna Park in the afternoon, which passed through Bagbazar, Putalisdak, Bhadrakali, New Road, Bhotahiti and converged into a mass meeting again at Ratna Park.