Nepal opposition announces fresh protests over constitution
The logjam in Nepal over the new constitution has taken a new turn with a 30-party alliance of opposition parties led by Maoists announcing fresh protests.
The logjam in Nepal over the new constitution has taken a new turn with a 30-party alliance of opposition parties led by Maoists announcing fresh protests.
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The protests which will begin on March 19 and end with three consecutive days of nationwide strikes on April 9 was announced after talks between the ruling parties and the opposition failed.
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"We are forced to launch fresh protests as the ruling parties are not serious on drafting a constitution based on consensus," Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) chief Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda told reporters.
Prachanda's party, the third biggest block in the constituent assembly and other smaller outfits including parties from Madhes want the issue of federalism to be resolved address through consensus.
But the ruling parties, Nepali Congress and Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist) insist on drafting the constitution through majority vote as efforts at consensus have failed to make headway.
"We are not against talks, but the ball lies in the court of ruling parties now," said Prachanda.
Differences over federalism led to Nepal lawmakers missing a constitution deadline on January 22 this year.
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.
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