BE BOLD
The Kathmandu
Post
4th January 2015
BE BOLD
The efficiency of Subash Nembang
was questioned in the erstwhile Constitution Assembly (CA) because of his weak
leadership and poor performance as a facilitator (“CA Chairman seeks power
to bring out prelim draft”, January 2, Page 1). He let the major political
parties undermine CA’s role by deliberating outside it in the name of seeking
consensus. The same scenario seems to be repeating itself as major political
parties drifted on their own when they were supposed to be heavily involved in
deliberation inside the CA. Eleven months have lapsed in the name of forging
consensus. As the constitution writing deadline draws close parties have
started blaming each other widening the political gap and creating mistrust among
themselves.
Nembang should have heavily
engaged the lawmakers in a series of deliberation on the disputed issues by exercising
his constitutional rights. He should have strictly followed the CA calendar
rather than depending on the senior leaders to play ambiguous roles. The
political parties now are sticking to their guns and do not seem to be interested
in budging from their petty political interests. On closely observing the
ongoing political situation, there is little hope of drafting the constitution
by January 22.
Still, Nembang should not
hesitate from using his constitutional rights to break the ice and pave the way
for promulgating the constitution within the dead line. Otherwise, the nation will
plunge further into chaos which could disintegrate the nation inviting social,
political and cultural instability. The thought of it is very scary. Some
opposition parties are talking about staging protests throughout the country
demanding the formation of a national government by dissolving the current CA.
In this situation, one is unsure what Nembang can do to convince the major
political parties to resolve contentious issues rather than taking the nation hostage
to their insensible political acts.
Rai Biren Bangdel
Maharajgunj
