Kathmandu, 6 Aug: Constituent assembly elections won’t mostly likely be held for the second time on 22 November as well. The first scheduled vote in June was postponed largely because of inadequate preparation.Officials, both civilians and military, told Prime Minister Giraja Prasad Koirala during a weekend visit of his hometown Biratnagar the rebellion by the Madeshis in the terai and autonomy demands in the Limbuwan region of the eastern hills aren’t conducive to conduct a vote to decide the future of monarchy.But Koirala, put up a brave face, and reiterated the election will be held.Government and major parties are considering an alternative staggered poll instead of a one-day vote.This a desperate and controversial Koirala move.But Koirala is even considering a more desperate proposal to declare a republic through parliament by converting it into a constituent assembly."India has taken the lead in discouraging such a move. According to informed sources, India’s External Affairs Minister, Pranab Mukherjee spoke to Koirala, NC(D) leader Sher Bahadur Deuba and some others over the phone that such a move would destroy the legitimacy of the political system and credibility of the leaders entirely," newsfront reported in it Monday editions.Koirala discussed the proposal in detail with Maoist Chairman Prachanda.Prachanda told the ongoing 5th plenary session that a republic won’t materialize through assembly elections.Maoists have demanded an immediate declaration of a republic.
A groundwork has already been laid.
A provision has been incorporated in the interim constitution to declare a republic through a two-thirds majority by blaming the King for conspiring to derail the vote. Communists and the Congress have a two-third majority in parliament to declare a republic."We have been hearing such moves [to convert parliament into assembly] from outside. And it will be a total betrayal of the people and therefore (will) not be acceptable to our party," Minendra Rijal, Member of the Central committee of the Nepali Congress (D) told news front.Ailing Koirala is seriously toying with a dangerous option to declare a republic through parliament.That’s Koirala’s new but dangerous shortcut strategy to declare a republic to replace a 234-old institution that unified Nepal.
A groundwork has already been laid.
A provision has been incorporated in the interim constitution to declare a republic through a two-thirds majority by blaming the King for conspiring to derail the vote. Communists and the Congress have a two-third majority in parliament to declare a republic."We have been hearing such moves [to convert parliament into assembly] from outside. And it will be a total betrayal of the people and therefore (will) not be acceptable to our party," Minendra Rijal, Member of the Central committee of the Nepali Congress (D) told news front.Ailing Koirala is seriously toying with a dangerous option to declare a republic through parliament.That’s Koirala’s new but dangerous shortcut strategy to declare a republic to replace a 234-old institution that unified Nepal.
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