Forward ordinances only after consensus: Prez to parties

KATHMANDU, Aug 30: President Dr Ram Baran Yadav has suggested to the ruling parties to forward him draft ordinances only after forging consensus with the opposition parties.



During a joint meeting with the top leaders of the ruling UCPN (Maoist) and United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) and opposition parties Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML on Thursday, the president also asked the ruling parties to forward him only those draft ordinances that are indispensible to the day to day functioning of the government. [break]



"The president has suggested to us to forward only those draft ordinances that are indispensible to the day to day functioning of the government," said Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar, who is also the coordinator of United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF).



The president´s suggestion comes at a time when the ruling parties and a section of the media have been criticizing him for not endorsing the draft ordinances forwarded by the government. Earlier, he had rejected two election related ordinances forwarded by the government.



The president while expressing concerns over the failure of the parties to resolve the current political impasse urged said, "If there is no consensus on contentious issues in constitution writing that would pave the way for revival of the Constituent Assembly, the natural course would be to go for election. I have assured the president that there will be consensus on election if there is no agreement on contentious issues of the new statute," said Gachchhadar.



UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal said they apprised the president that they were putting in efforts for consensus on all issues of contention including the ways to resolve the current deadlock and formation of a new government. "We told him that we will go for fresh mandate if there is no agreement," he said.



NC President Sushil Koirala told media persons that they apprised the president that they have started discussions on whether to revive the CA or go for fresh election to resolve the deadlock. "We have told him that we will soon arrive at consensus on one of the two options," he added.

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