Now Nepal Maoists plan to adopt constitution from the streets

Politburo members of UCPN (Maoist) decided on Sunday to declare the new constitution unilaterally on May 29—the day Nepal marks as Republic Day after abolition of monarchy two years ago.

Updated on: May 17, 2010, 15:40:17 IST

Hindustan Times | By Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu

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Having failed in their attempt to dislodge the government despite a six-day strike earlier this month, opposition Maoists in Nepal are now planning to adopt the country’s new constitution from the streets.

Politburo members of UCPN (Maoist) decided on Sunday to declare the new constitution unilaterally on May 29—the day Nepal marks as Republic Day after abolition of monarchy two years ago.

“We will announce the draft of peoples’ federal republican constitution on Republic Day if the Constituent Assembly fails to promulgate it within May 28,” said Maoist spokesperson Dinanath Sharma.

The deadline for Nepal to adopt its new constitution as well as the tenure of the Constituent Assembly set up two years ago for the purpose end on May 28.

Maoists who have more than one-third representation in CA are against extending its tenure to complete the new constitution till their demand for removal of the government is not met.

The party had brought the country to a standstill between May 2 and May 7 with street demonstrations seeking removal of the government and setting up of a national unity government headed by them.

They called off the indefinite strike citing inconvenience faced by the public as reason.

But things could again take a turn for worse as UCPN (M) vice chairman Baburam Bhattarai was quoted on Monday by a local newspaper that the party would rather go back to war that bow down to the government.

Maoists had returned to the democratic fold in 2006 after a 10-year civil war that led to over 13,000 deaths. Most of their former combatants are still living in UN monitored cantonments.

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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