Leaders pledge to implement constitution
Leaders of three major parties today promised that they would continue to stay united while implementing the new constitution and addressing the concerns of agitating parties through amendment of new constitution.
Addressing a mass meeting organised by the government at Tundikhel to celebrate the promulgation of new constitution a day after it came into effect, Nepali Congress President and Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli and Unified CPN-Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal univocally said they would work to meet genuine demands of the agitating parties.
PM Koirala expressed commitment that the three major concerns — proportionate inclusion in state organs, determining the electoral constituencies on the basis of population and altering the demarcation of boundaries of federal units — of the agitating parties could be addressed through talks. He called on Madhesis, Tharus and indigenous people, who have been agitating with the three demands, to hold talks for solution.
“I will continue efforts to address the concerns of agitating parties. I urge them to come to the talks table, as there are plenty of possibilities to find solution through dialogue,” Koirala said, while remembering the contribution of Madhesi leaders in Nepal’s several democratic movements.
Koirala expressed confidence that the country would be able to proceed with reconstruction in the aftermath of April 25 temblor by maintaining cordial relationship with neighbouring India and China.
The country will have only one agenda — achieving economic progress through consensus, cooperation, national unity and dialogue, Koirala said.
Oli assured the people of Tarai-Madhes that their concerns would be addressed through the proposed Madhesi, Tharu and other commissions and through constitutional amendments.“The new constitution is not un-amendable” he added.
Talking about the concerns of neighbouring India and China, Oli said, “We want to maintain friendship with all. We want to proceed with development work with their support.”UCPN-M leader Dahal said, “The major political forces should move together in the coming days, as there are some challenges in implementing the new constitution.”
He urged the Madhesi community to return to the political mainstream, as most of their concerns had already been addressed. “The province that covers Saptari to Parsa is based on the identity of Madhesi community. We have ensured principle of proportional inclusion. The Madhesis’ concerns related to citizenship have also been addressed. Other genuine concerns related to boundaries of federal units could be addressed through dialogue,” Dahal said, urging the protesting forces to come to the talks table.
source:http://thehimalayantimes.com/
