Kathmandu, April 2 (Inditop.com) With less than two months left for the promulgation of a new constitution but Nepal’s squabbling parties still unable to start work on the first draft, the world has begun to accept that the Himalayan republic is unlikely to meet the May 28 deadline.
It was indicated by Britain’s special representative for peace-building, Jack McConnell, who winded up consultations with Nepal’s Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, opposition party chief Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda and other key political players during a three-day official visit.
“If May 28 is an unrealistic deadline, then thought should be given to extending it sooner rather than later,” the British envoy said before departing.
With Nepal’s major western donors generally speaking with one voice, the British acceptance is likely to be shared by the other members of the European Union as well as the US.
The two other countries wielding considerable influence on Nepal – its southern neighbour India and China in the north – have so far been urging the Nepal government to implement the new constitution within the deadline.
However, Friday, it was increasingly clear that the major parties were still bent on power and not the statute.
A meeting of the top leaders of the ruling parties and the Maoists failed yet again to form a committee that will restructure Nepal into a federal republic.
The tussle between the prime minister and the Maoists, the biggest party that is now sitting in opposition, also continued.
After days of rumour about the formation of a new government, the prime minister Friday ruled out stepping down.
Madhav Kumar Nepal said since he had been mandated to promulgate the new constitution and conclude the peace process, he would not quit till he had fulfilled his responsibilities.
On the other hand, Prachanda Friday renewed his claim as the next prime minister, saying a new national government led by the Maoists should be entrusted with the job. He also said his party had unanimously agreed that he, as the Maoist party chairman, should head the new government.
