Big 4 for statute amendment of Nepali Constitution:-

KATHMANDU, April 28 - Top four parties – CPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress (NC), CPN-UML and Madhesi People's Rights Forum (MPRF) -- have agreed in principle to scrap a provision in the interim constitution that requires two-third majority to both form and oust the government.
However, CPN (Maoist), which was opposed to the amendment earlier, has put a condition that there should be a presidential system and that the president should be from the party if the amendment is brought in consensus with all other parties.

This new development comes at a time when some NC leaders have been insisting that the party should continue to head the government as none of the political parties were able to garner two-thirds of the 575 elected seats in the Constituent Assembly (CA) election.

Talking to the Post, MPRF Chairman Upendra Yadav, who held separate parleys with senior leaders of NC, CPN-UML and CPN (Maoist), on Sunday, said both NC and CPN-UML leaders were positive over their proposal to bring amendment in the constitutional provision. "Maoist leaders seemed reluctant to bring amendment in the constitutional provision and pave the way for formation of a new government," said a MPRF leader, who participated in the meeting with Maoist leaders.

NC leader Dr Minendra Rijal confirmed the meeting and said they were positive about the MPRF demand to bring amendment in the constitutional provision. Prior to this, CPN-UML had been advocating amendment to this effect as a condition for its support to the Maoist-led government.

Senior Maoist leader Mohan Baidya 'Kiran' said there would not be any 'hindrance' to the proposal if it was brought in consensus with other political parties. He, however, said there should be presidential system and that a Maoist should be the first president of Nepal if the constitution was to be amended to that effect. "Otherwise, Maoists should get leadership of the existing prime ministerial system," he told the Post over phone. He also said the Maoist Central Committee meeting due to be held on Monday will finalize the issue.

Yadav said the meeting with the top brass of three major political parties was aimed at implementing the agreements that the government reached with MPRF in the past and discussing future course of political action. "We also raised the issue of removing phrases in the interim constitution that say 'decisions will be made on the basis of consensus among the seven parties' as it is no more relevant in the aftermath of CA elections," he added.

The MPRF team comprising Chairman Yadav, Mahadev Sah, Shyama Nanda Suman and Upendra Jha, among others, discussed issues like federal autonomous Madhes state, democracy, and inclusiveness of Madhesis, dalits, Janajatis, women and other marginalized groups in all state structures. "Both Maoists and CPN-UML seem largely clear on the issues. However, NC leaders did not seem so clear regarding them," Yadav said.

Asked if MPRF meeting with Maoist Chairman Prachanda and senior leader Dr Baburam Bhattarai at Vaishali Hotel in Thamel focused on the formation of new government, Yadav said the meeting was just aimed at removing the mutual bitterness of the past, especially after the Gaur killings last year. "We discussed finding new bases for consensus and going ahead together in a new political context," he said. "The issue of forming coalition government with Maoists will come up only after bringing about improvement in relations." ...

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