Find alternatives
The Himalayan Times
15 March 2012
Till date, the major political parties have not been able to sort out the contentious elements of the new constitution. Therefore, it does not seem that they have enough time to draft the new constitution within the dead line. Some senior leaders of NC have been heard publicly saying that they would not be able to complete the task by the dead-line. If they are sincere in following the democratic norms and values, they do not have other alternative besides abiding by the Supreme Court’s (SC) recent verdict on CA’s tenure. However, it is still uncertain as to what and which course the major political parties will take. The chances of the major political parties loosing people’s faith loom large.
There seems to be no other alternative for them except for either going for fresh mandate for CA or reviving 1990 constitution (for their political existence) and amending it in line with the changed context. Sher Bahadur Deuba seemed bold enough to confess publicly about political party’s gross weaknesses and suggests reviving 1990 constitution with necessary changes as per the changed context as reported in “NC calls for revival of ’90 statute” (March 12, Page6). However, PM’s egoistic political attitudes do not show that there would be any political compromises and reconciliation on this issue as reported in “1990 statute not to be revived, says PM” (THT, March 13, Page 5). If so, what next? This has remained to be the prudent concerns of the general people who seem more worried about their future than the major political parties.
Can simply writing the new constitution and promulgating it within the dead line without doing proper homework guarantee its authenticity and appropriateness? Can the PM guarantee that the new constitution fulfilling all the necessary requirements will be drafted by the dead line? Will all the citizens accept such hastily drafted constitution? Was the PM hinting that if the current CA cannot draft the new constitution within the dead-line, its tenure should be extended?
Rai Biren Bangdel
Maharajgunj, Kathmandu
