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Main parties reject rebel demand for constituent assembly poll in Nepal
Kathmandu, Aug 24: Major political parties in Nepal have rejected the Maoists` demand for a constituent assembly election to draft a new Constitution.
Kathmandu, Aug 24: Major political parties in Nepal have rejected the Maoists' demand for a constituent assembly election to draft a new Constitution.
The demand cannot be accepted in present circumstances, Nepali Congress central committee member Ramchandra Poudyal said. "If the Maoists are ready to recognise monarchy, then why shall we go for the constituent assembly polls?" he asked.
"There is no guarantee that the constituent assembly election will resolve the present crisis and help establish lasting peace," Poudyal said.
Disfavouring the idea of re-writing the constitution, which is one of the two alternatives given by the government to address the rebels' demands, he said all the demands can be addressed only by amending the constitution, except if the Maoists want to abolish monarchy.
Nepal Communist Party-UML standing committee member K P Oli Sharma said that though his party is not against the constituent assembly in principle, amending the Constitution can address the issues raised by the rebels.
"The Maoists should make their intention clear why they need constituent assembly election. They cannot run away from talks simply putting the blame on others," he added.
However, chairman of Janamorcha Nepal Amik Serchan said that his party supports the idea of holding constituent assembly polls as demanded by the Maoists.
Bureau Report
"There is no guarantee that the constituent assembly election will resolve the present crisis and help establish lasting peace," Poudyal said.
Disfavouring the idea of re-writing the constitution, which is one of the two alternatives given by the government to address the rebels' demands, he said all the demands can be addressed only by amending the constitution, except if the Maoists want to abolish monarchy.
Nepal Communist Party-UML standing committee member K P Oli Sharma said that though his party is not against the constituent assembly in principle, amending the Constitution can address the issues raised by the rebels.
"The Maoists should make their intention clear why they need constituent assembly election. They cannot run away from talks simply putting the blame on others," he added.
However, chairman of Janamorcha Nepal Amik Serchan said that his party supports the idea of holding constituent assembly polls as demanded by the Maoists.
Bureau Report