President urges parties to wrap up statute

KATHMANDU, May 21: With the May 27 deadline only six days away, President Ram Baran Yadav on Monday urged top leaders of the three major political parties and the United Democratic Madhesi Front to quickly reach consensus on contentious issues of constitution writing.



"He inquired about the constitution writing process and the confusion over its completion," said Rajendra Dahal, the president´s press advisor.[break]



The president had called the leaders to his office at Shital Niwas in view of the fast approaching May 27 deadline and the controversy over the federal model agreed last Tuesday.



The president also urged the leaders to settle the outstanding issues as soon as possible.



"He urged us to resolve the issues by holding a meeting today [Monday]," said Chairman of the Madhesi People´s Rights Forum (Democratic) Bijay Kumar Gachchhadar after the meeting.



Emerging from the meeting, CPN-UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal said they told the president that they would complete the drafting of the constitution by May 27. "The term of the Constituent Assembly will not be extended," Khanal told media persons.

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