Parties upbeat about consensus

25 Feb 2015, Kathmandu - Both the ruling and opposition parties are hopeful about resumption of formal negotiations to push constitution writing forward on the basis of consensus soon after the opposition’s February 28 mass meeting in the Capital.

The opposition front believes that the ruling parties will demonstrate flexibility and stop the ongoing majority process in the Constituent Assembly if there is a huge presence of cadres and supporters in the rally on Saturday. The ruling parties are also keenly watching the demonstration.

The opposition is willing to hold talks with the ruling parties but due to its already announced protest programme and public posturing, it is not in a position to sit for formal dialogue right now. After the rally, the Maoist and Madhesi parties are planning to take a break before announcing the second phase of agitation. After a series of informal talks with Prime Minister Sushil Koirala and CPN-UML leader Madhav Nepal, UCPN (Maoist) chief Pushpa Kamal Dahal seems upbeat about consensus with the ruling coalition.

On Tuesday, before the meeting of the Constitutional Council, Dahal also talked briefly to CA Chairman Subas Nembang about the deadlock. Nembang asked Dahal about the progress made in informal talks. According to sources, Dahal said that positive discussions were under way at the top level.

After the mass rally, ruling party leaders say they will wait for a week for consensus. If there is no accord within the period, they will initiate the voting process in the CA with a questionnaire that has been prepared on the disputed issues. “We are making maximum effort to ease the situation and resume dialogue at the earliest,” said CPN-UML leader Pradeep Gyawali.

The UCPN (Maoist) says the ball is in PM Koirala’s court. The party believes that it is Koirala’s responsibility to create an environment as the chief of the largest party.

Maoist leaders say they have found Koirala positive about reviving the consensus way of constitution drafting. Maoist leader Agni Sapkota said consensus is possible if the PM comes out of UML chief KP Oli’s circle of influence while making decisions.

Ruling party leaders say they will offer two alternatives to the disgruntled parties after February 28. The first is forging consensus on the contentious issues. If that fails, the second is to persuade the Maoist and Madhes-based parties to agree on the CA process, allowing the ruling parties to promulgate the constitution while registering their notes of dissent.

There are two schools of thought in the opposition bloc. Another possible option is forming a commission to settle the contentious issues related to federalism.

Even the opposition is ready to finalise the details of federalism if there is an agreement in principle among the major forces.