Expedite constitution

The widening inter- and intra-party disputes over government formation have further eroded people´s hopes that the Constituent Assembly (CA) will announce a federal democratic constitution within the stipulated deadline of May 28. With the extended deadline just 98 days away, the pettiness being shown by major political parties represented in the CA in fulfilling their mandate of completing the constitution makes one feel that they are becoming less and less responsive towards the popular aspiration of seeing the ongoing peace process conclude logically in a constitution that will cement the foundations of a democratic republic.



As the current political imbroglio resulting from the controversial seven-point deal signed between Prime Minister Jalanath Khanal and Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal is likely to continue for some time, it won´t be realistic to hope that the major political parties will soon resume serious dialogue to sort out inter-party disputes over some major issues like system of governance, election procedures and state restructuring. If the trial balloon floated by UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Dahal in Rolpa last week on extending the CA´s term by two months is anything to go by, the major party leaders themselves are less and less confident about timely promulgation of the statute.



Against this background, the big question that has started crossing people´s minds is, will the politicians now start talking about extending the CA term for a second time? Though it is too early to say, one thing is for sure. Any proposal to extend the CA´s term again will be fiercely contested. Undoubtedly, the toughest challenge before the top leaders would be to explain why they have failed to complete the constitution within the first extended term and how they can guarantee that they will not fail in a second extended term also.



And any attempt to extend the term without taking the people into confidence would only aggravate popular frustration, heightening the risk of such frustration being exploited by anti-republican forces to fulfill their hidden agenda of taking the country backwards. The more so, given the sneaking suspicion that one of the parties is not really serious about a new constitution other than on its own terms.



We believe that despite long-running differences over the core issues of the new constitution, there is still time to initiate serious dialogue and at least narrow down the differences and make notable progress toward finally delivering the constitution. That kind of sober exercise will help people believe that their political leaders are putting in all out effort to fulfill their mandate. This is the best way to check the reputation of the political parties from becoming tarnished beyond redemption.

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Happy Constitution Day!