Ex-speaker for CA to draft constitution

KATHMANDU , AUG 12 -

Chairman of the dissolved Constituent Assembly Subas Nembang has said that the new constitution should be drafted through a CA. Any move--amendment to the regulations concerning elections, revival of the CA and parliamentary election--would stir controversy, he added.

Stating that the constitution can be amended through an ordinance, Nembang said preparations had been made for the promulgation of the constitution on May 27. "We had the constitution draft ready and were prepared for getting the lawmakers to sign it. Further, the printing of the constitution, which would take about five hours, was on cards," said Nembang . "The prime minister called me in the morning [of May 27] and enquired about the preparations."

Nembang was addressing a programme organised in the Capital on Sunday to explore constitutional ways to end the political impasse. A majority of speakers were for holding fresh elections as an outlet. However, they were divided over the kind of the polls. While some argued for holding fresh CA elections, other pitched for parliamentary polls. Voices were also heard that it was necessary to hold local polls. Yet others called for a CA revival.

Nepali Congress leader Ramesh Lekhak opined that while holding fresh CA elections, referendum needed to be conducted on contentious issues. Advocate Kumar Regmi supported parliamentary polls, together with local elections. He was against the idea of reviving the CA arguing that it was not a popular demand.

CPN-UML leader Agni Kharel said that as per his party's decision, polls should be for the CA. He ruled out the possibility of drafting a constitution through a commission. UML leader Raghuji Pant echoed Kharel. NC leader Ram Sharan Mahat pitched for fresh polls. CPN-Maoist leader Ek Raj Bhandari spoke for a round-table conference.

NC leader Radheshyam Adhikari was for a small, inclusive CA to draft the national charter, holding separate polls for a right-size parliament and immediate elections for local bodies.

Professor Krishna Khanal said that geopolitical sensitivities needed to be taken into account while federating the country. On the occasion, Advocates Tika Ram Bhattarai and Chandra Kant Gyawali presented papers suggesting several alternatives.

Source: http://www.ekantipur.com/2012/08/12/top-story/ex-speaker-for-ca-to-draft-constitution/358609/