A meeting of the High-Level Political Mechanism (HLPM) held at the Nepali Congress (NC) Parliamentary Party Office at Singha Durbar on Wednesday also denounced the remarks coming from various quarters against secularism, federalism and the republican setup in the country. [break]
“While strongly denouncing and condemning the ill-intentioned attempt being made by some regressive elements aspiring to revoke the democratic and progressive changes, we express commitment not to let that daydream ever materialize,” states a joint press statement issued after the three-hour meeting. The statement distributed to journalists is signed by Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, NC Acting President Sushil Koirala and UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal.
The decision of the parties comes in the wake of former king Gyanendra saying that monarchy has not yet come to an end in the country and some Hindu fundamentalist groups seemingly becoming active in various parts of the country in recent days.
According to the joint statement, the parties have agreed to jointly fight against all types of conspiracies by forces bent on thwarting the promulgation of the new constitution within the stipulated time and the timely conclusion of the peace process. “We appeal to the entire Nepali populace to stand united against these kinds of conspiracies,” the statement adds.
Talking to media persons after the meeting, UML Chairman Khanal said the three parties reached agreement to complete the constitution drafting process within the stipulated date of May 28, 2010. The parties have also decided to expedite talks among themselves to resolve all contentious issues that surfaced in the course of the peace and constitution drafting process.
Khanal also said that the meeting has reached an agreement in principle to form a State Restructuring Commission comprising experts from fields concerned to provide suggestions to the Constituent Assembly on delineating the federal states.
The Commission will carry out its work taking into consideration the provisions of the CA, the deliberations in the CA on federal states and also the deliberations and expectations of the CA committee on state restructuring.
“The next meeting of the mechanism will work out comprehensive details concerning the Commission,” Khanal said.
NC Vice-President Poudel said the Commission will give suggestions to the CA on states delineation and number of federal states . The Commission will submit its report with suggestions on what would be the practical and scientific ways to determine the number of federal states.
Poudel said the parties will soon furnish names of experts on behalf of their respective parties to expedite formation of the Commission.
The next HLPM meeting is scheduled to be held on April 4 as the NC is organizing a condolence meet at the Khulla Manch in Kathmandu on April 3 in remembrance of the late Girija Prasad Koirala.
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