Bhattarai ‘open’ to CA revival if parties agree

KATHMANDU, JUL 01 -

Stating that a “simple agreement” among parties is not sufficient to revive the Constituent Assembly (CA), Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai said on Saturday that the revival should be “constitutional” and with consent from the Supreme Court.

During a meeting with journalists at his Baluwatar residence, PM Bhattarai stated that he had no objection to the revival if parties agreed to it but as head of the government, he did not think CA revival was the right alternative to end the current political stalemate.

“Considering the verdict of the Supreme Court, fresh CA elections are the most democratic option but I do not have objections if politi cal parties reach an agreement to revive the CA,” said the PM.

Bhattarai moderated his stance after lawmakers from various parties launched a signature campaign and even UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal spoke out in favour of CA revival. Bhattarai had ruled out the possibility of CA revival in a statement made after his return from Brazil.

However, opposition parties are demanding PM’s resignation as the only path to consensus among parties.

Bhattarai said change in government was only possible after agreement on the content of the new constitution and the method of promulgation. Stating that the present government is not a caretaker government, the PM said there was no constitutional basis to replace it.

“First, there should be an agreement on the remaining contentious issues of the new constitution; second, there should be an agreement on the mechanism to promulgate the constitution; and third is the issue of power-sharing,” Bhattarai said.

The PM said that the government would bring forth a complete budget forging an understanding among parties. He however did not elaborate on the government’s course of action if the opposition parties rejected the government’s bid.

Source: http://www.ekantipur.com/2012/07/01/top-story/bhattarai-open-to-ca-revival-if-parties-agree/356411/