The central working committee meeting of the Nepali Congress held Tuesday morning to decide on the party’s suggestion to the interim constitution drafting committee ended inconclusively.

The meeting held at the prime minister’s residence, Baluwatar, failed to finalise the issues to be included in the interim constitution. The next meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday morning to finalize the suggestion document.

Participants in the meeting stressed that the party should incorporate the mandate given by the recent people’s movement and address the aspirations of the people. They said the party should remain committed to the declaration made by the reinstated House of Representatives on May 18.

Finance Minister Ram Sharan Mahat

Finance Minister Ram Sharan Mahat (File photo)
Finance Minister Ram Sharan Mahat, who is also a central committee member, told reporters after the meeting they discussed on the roles of the legislative, executive, and judiciary during the interim period and procedure of holding election to constituent assembly. He said that the party’s stance is in favour of ceremonial monarchy in the country.

Another member, Arjun Narsingh KC, said the party will also accept if the people voted for a republic in the election to the constituent assembly.

President Girija Prasad Koirala directed the party leaders to act more responsively in this critical period and asked them to act as per the HoR declaration.

In the 23-point suggestion submitted to the constitution drafting committee on Sunday, the UML sought for a referendum to decide the fate of monarchy. Similarly, the suggestion given by the Maoists also highlighted the provision of referendum to decide the future of the monarchy before the election to constituent assembly is held.