UNPRODUCTIVE DELIBERATION
The Kathmandu Post
21 December 2014
UNPRODUCTIVE DELIBERATION
The concern expressed by the Members 0f
Parliament (MPs) from different political parties in the Constituent Assembly (CA)
regarding contentious issues of the constitution seems natural in terms of
their party affiliation (“MPS divided over statute procedure” 17 Dec. Page
2). All the major parties in the CA have their own understanding of issues and
interpret the key constitutional issues differently. This has complicated the
constitution drafting process and will continue to affect it unless and until
they will rise above their petty political interests and put their sincere effort
to forge consensus.
The constitution is the compilation of laws
and principles according to which a state is governed and said to be the
document of understanding and compromises of different stakeholders. On the one
hand, politicians never get tired of talking about consensus on major issues but
on the other side but, on the other, they do not seem to be flexible in their
political manifestos. How will it be possible for them to come to consensus if
they don’t set aside their political differences? How will it be possible for
them to draft the new constitution by January 22, 2015 if they continue to take their own stands?
The report submitted by the Political
Dialogue and Consensus Committee to the full house of CA seems to be a time
consuming process to reach an agreement. Looking closely at the ongoing
political situation, it does not seem that they would be able to sort out their
political differences soon and promulgate the new constitution within the
stipulated time. If this happens, what will happen next will be of major
concern to the people.
Rai Biren Bangdel
Maharajgunj.
