Nepal Maoists oppose extension of Constituent Assembly term

Opposition Maoists in Nepal have decided to oppose extension of the constituent assembly’s term till the ruling government makes way for a national government headed by them.

Updated on: Apr 16, 2010, 14:48:27 IST

Hindustan Times | By Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu

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Opposition Maoists in Nepal have decided to oppose extension of the constituent assembly’s term till the ruling government makes way for a national government headed by them.

The politburo of UCPN (Maoist), Nepal’s largest opposition party, stated that the constitution drafting and peace process can’t get completed before the May 28 deadline till the present government is in power.

“Till this government lasts, there is no possibility of promulgating the new constitution or bringing the peace process to its logical end on time,” stated UCPN (M) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’.

The Maoist decision follows statements from leaders of ruling parties like Nepali Congress and CPN (UML) that it would be impossible to meet the May 28 deadline and the term of CA needs to be extended.

Targeting leaders of the ruling parties, Prachanda stated that it is still possible to adopt the new constitution within the deadline if there is political will and consensus among all parties.

Since UCPN (M) is the largest party in CA with over 200 members, it would be impossible for other parties to get the required two-third majority to extend the two-year term of the constituent assembly.

Stating that it would continue its efforts to overthrow the government, Prachanda added that his party would not bring in a no-confidence motion as it could result in horse-trading of CA members.

Commenting on the decision of the special committee for integration of 3000 former Maoists into security forces, the Maoist chief dared the government to go ahead with the process without his party’s support.

Nepal is lagging behind in the constitution drafting process as only three of the 11 thematic committees of the CA have submitted their final reports to the Constitutional Committee till date.

On Thursday, Chairman of ruling CPN (UML) Jhalanath Khanal stated that it would be impossible to meet the May 28 deadline and all parties should accept this reality instead of misleading the public.

Nepali Congress leaders also held a meeting with President Ram Baran Yadav on the possible scenario if the constitution is not drafted on time.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utpal Parashar
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More

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