VICE-PRESIDENT CREATES STIR PREDICTING NO CONSTITUTION BY 27 MAY

VICE-PRESIDENT JHA PREDICTS NO CONSTITUTION 27 MAY

Kathmandu, 2 April:: Vice President Parmanand Jha who has been in limelight since his initiation into politics has once again trashed the claims of major political parties to draft constitution by May 27 deadline, Reportersnepal.com reports.

Stating that no one has hopes to get new constitution on stated date, VP Jha said that parties should start thinking of alternatives. He advised that political parties should find out appropriate alternatives to handle situations that might arise in the post May 27 period.

Speaking to a delegation of journalists led by the Reporters Club Nepal to mark its 14th anniversary function, Jha said that the ten top leaders of three major political parties should be held accountable if the new constitution fails to come by the promised date.
"601 lawmakers are not responsible for not drafting the constitution. Ten leaders of three major political parties should be held accountable. Constitution cannot be drafted unless they reach consensus," said Jha stating that "we can only hope and wait."

He called on political parties to either deliver the constitution or to give up. "There is no possibility to extend the term of CA. If political parties cannot fulfill their pledges than they should step down and apologize."

On the occasion, he stressed on the need to stress on the need to deliver constitution rather than concluding the peace process. " Peace process is a never ending process. Even the US also does not have peace. Nepal needs a constitution first."

VP Jha flayed the recent decision of the Supreme Court that has asked the government to either for referendum instead of extending the term of the CA.
" Referendum cannot be chosen for drafting the constitution. It can be used to resolve disputed issues of the constitution," said VP Jha adding that the SC verdict is not clear.

He said that the political parties should not debate on the provision of federalism arguing that it has been guaranteed by the Interim Constitution and called on parties to center their discussion on the details of the federalism.

Responding to queries from journalists regarding the leader of Madheshi leaders for "one madhesh one pradesh," he said that the Madhesh should get it if Kirantis, Limbuwan, Tamsaling can get it.

"Either the government should fulfill everyone's demand or it should act basely towards some community. Everyone's demand are just and they can resolved if death justly".

On the occasion he expressed fear that monarchy could revive given the lack of consensus among political parties to institutionalize republicanism on the occasion. "We had never thought republicanism would come, but it came. We had only made some efforts. And if Nepalese people again want monarchy that it can come and everyone should accept it."

(Note: Vice-president Jha made the prediction even as a ceremonial
president has been making public statements
on the prevailing situation country--- a task best left to leaders of political parties. President Dr Ram Baran Yadav could contribute positively by behind-the scene-lobbying instead of calling reporters to his official residence to male public statements on which parties aren’t agreed by consensus.)
nnnn
TOP BRITISH ARMY GENERALHOLDS DISCUSSIONS WITH ARMY CHIEF
Kathmandu, 2 April:: Commanding General Lt. Gen Kenneth J. Gluek, Jr.
Monday paid a courtesy call on Army Chief Gen Chhatraman Singh Gurung at Nepali Army headqarters.

Gen Keneneth of III Marine Expenditionary Force, Marine Forces based
in Japan has come to Nepal to attend Regional Seminar on Disaster Response and Humanitarian Assistance Operations being Nepali Army

nnnn.

LAWMAKERS SIT-IN FOR PEACE, CONSTITUTION
Kathmandu, 2 April: Young lawmakers, crossing party lines, Monday
staged a two-hour sit-in in front of the office of the main constitution drafting committee demanding peace and a constitution by 27 March.
Such pressure was bounted the groupi meetings with Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai and part leaders.
NC Vice-president Ram Chandra Paudel missed a flight to Janakpur after
he was confined to the office of the constitution drafting committee.
nnnn
UML STANDING COMMITTEE REITERATED 7-POINT AGREEMENT BASIS FOR
Kathmandu, 2 April: Opposition UML standing committee Monday reiterated a party position a 7-point agreement between parties should be the basis to conclude peace the peace process.
The committee met amid uncertainty and after a breakthrough agreement Frdiay to complete the peace process through Maoist fighter integration and handover of insurgency-era Maoist weapons.
Nnnn
SUSHIL KOIRALA SUPPORTS KRISHNA’S PRASAD SHITAULA’S CLAIM TO GOVT. ON BEHALF OF NC
Kathmandu, 2 April: NC President Sushil Koirala Monday laid a claim to lead a government in a change of party position that previously prioritized completing the peace process.
" Now it’s our turn to lead the nation. The NC-led government will promulgate the new constitution,” Koirala said in Siraha supporting a claim first made by
General Secretary Krishna Prasad SHitaula last week in a newspaper interview.
Koirala rejected a ´One Madhes, One Province´ claim of Madeshbadi
parties.
Nnnn

INDIAN HELD WITH BROWN SUGAR

Kathmandu, 2 April: : Police apprehended an Indian national along with banned drug substances while checking a passenger-ferrying bus heading towards Kathmandu from Birgunj at Ratmate, Hetauda on Monday morning, RSS reports from Hetauda..
The arrestee has been identified as Chandrika Das,30, of Betia, India, confirmed District Police Office, Makawanpur.
Das was taken under control with 150-gram of brown sugar, said police
sources.
Nnnn