The three parties have decided to talk to the Constituent Assembly Chairman and political parties before taking any decision in this connection during the next meeting of the High Level Political Mechanism (HLPM) scheduled for Monday. [break]
According to NC General Secretary Bimalendra Nidhi, the NC proposed the formation of the Commission to help prepare an impartial report on a federal model with expert inputs, during the HLPM meeting Friday. The NC proposal comes in view of differing opinions about the federal model coming from various political parties.
Nidhi said the Maoists and the UML both supported the idea, concluding that inputs from such a Commission were a must even to resolve differences that surfaced over the federal model proposed by the CA Committee on State Restructuring. The three parties have agreed in principle to provide Terms of Reference (ToR) for the Commission that are compatible with the CA calendar.
The CA Committee on State Restructuring has already submitting its draft report to the CA, proposing a total of 14 federal states. Delineation of the federal model has drawn flak from various quarters including from Madhes-based parties.
The Interim Constitution (Article 138) has a provision for a Commission comprising experts from fields concerned to offer suggestions for a new federal model. Though the erstwhile government led by the Maoists appointed Ganesh Man Gurung as its chairman, the Commission has failed to take full shape so far largely due to differences among parties whether such a commission is needed at all.
Talking to media after the HLPM meeting, Maoist Vice-Chair Narayan Kaji Shrestha said they have initiated discussions on formation of the Commission. He said there is a need to consult the CA Chairman and also observe the spirit of the Interim Constitution before taking any decision.
UML General Secretary Ishwor Pokharel, who participated in the HLPM meeting, said they have decided to hold further discussions about forming the HLPM during Monday´s meeting.
Friday´s HLPM meeting dwelled mostly on the issue of clashes between cadres of the Maoists, UML and NC in various parts of the country.
Shrestha said the HLPM meeting decided to form a committee comprising representatives of all three parties to investigate clashes between rival party cadres in different parts of the country and take action against the guilty as per the findings of the committee.
The meeting formed a separate committee comprising Hom Raj Dahal of NC, Bisham Lal Adhikari of UML and Basanta Majhi of the Maoists to investigate the attack against UML leaders in Jhangajholi area in Sindhuli district on Friday afternoon. The Committee is to submit its report within seven days after conducting a field study.
The HLPM meeting also decided to hold the HLPM meeting every Thursday morning starting next week.
koshraj@myrepublica.com
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