Big 3 renew call for talks

Reiterate readiness to amend constitution

KATHMANDU, Sept 22: A day after promulgation of the new constitution, top leaders of three major political parties have renewed their call to the disgruntled political parties and reiterated that they were ready for addressing their genuine concerns through amendments in the new constitution.

Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, who is also president of Nepali Congress (NC), UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli while addressing a mass gathering in Kathmandu on Monday said that they wanted to settle the agitating parties' demands through talks.

The prime minister urged Madhesi, Tharu and all other agitating sides, who have walked out of the constitution making process in the decisive phase even after participating in the overall process, to seek solutions through talks. "As there are sufficient chances of settling the issues through agreement, cooperation and unity, I hereby promise to always be ready for taking all necessary initiatives to resolve the issues and make a call for talks," the prime minister announced in the gathering.

Before the prime minister made the appeal, CPN-UML Chairman Oli at the same rally urged all the disgruntled sides to sit for talks and settle the issues through the dialogue.

"The new constitution isn't immutable. It can be amended. Therefore, there is no reason to protest against it," said Oli.

Describing the new constitution as a progressive and inclusive document, Oli claimed that it has ensured cultural, religious and various other social rights of all the communities of the country. "If any issues haven't been properly addressed in the new constitution, we have formed commissions on Madhesh, Tharu, Muslims and indigenous communities that can look into the matters and suggest changes in the constitution."

Addressing the same function, UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Dahal promised to continuously fight and advocate for the rights of Madhesi and Tharu communities as and when needed.

Stating that major demands and most of the concerns of the Madhesi people have been addressed in the new constitution, Dahal urged the Madhes-based parties and communities in the region to become ready for seeking solutions through dialogue.

"Formation of the Province-2 stretching from Saptari to Parsa has clearly respected the Madhesi people's aspirations for a Madhesh province based on identity," he said. "And we have adopted the proportional representative system and addressed your grievances on citizenship and provinces permanently."

He said that the Madhes-based parties' demand for minor changes in the boundaries of the provinces can be addressed through amendments in the constitution.

He repeatedly urged the Madhes-based parties to sit for talks and settle issues through negotiations.