Kathmandu, Aug 22: President Ram Chandra Paudel has mentioned that the Constitution of Nepal has given the President the responsibility to uphold the Constitution, protect it and promote national unity.
He said that in the all-party meeting that he called today. In the meeting, he said that it is time to think whether we have been able to walk according to the constitutional meaning and spirit of separation of powers and balance of power, his press advisor Kiran Pokharel informed.
President Paudel said, “I am not trying to show activism. I am also a worker who suffered a lot for democracy. So this is my concern for the nation. Due to various reasons, I could not meet all of you.”
Mentioning that there is an all-round question that necessary and important laws for the implementation of the federal democratic republic have not been made, he said, “The legal issues related to truth, disappearances and reconciliation have not yet been resolved. If this issue cannot be resolved at this time, the people’s desire for peace cannot be fulfilled.”
Stating that the situation of keeping Nepal in the ‘pre-gray list’ for one year is another matter of concern, he mentioned that he feels that it is the common responsibility of everyone to take the initiative to save Nepal from the blacklist by passing the law on money laundering as soon as possible.
“While there is concern everywhere that the voice of the people will stop when the parliament, the sovereign platform that solves the problems of the people, has been closed for a long time, there is satisfaction from the news that the mutual dialogue and efforts of all the parties have come close to an agreement. I am confident that this consensus effort will be effective immediately and the Parliament will be held in a smooth way”, President Paudel said.
He said that this is the beauty of democracy and that there are many examples of parties solving problems through dialogue even in the past, even in difficult situations.
In the meeting, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” said that the President’s wishes were positive for the protection and implementation of the Constitution and for the Parliament to operate as the people wanted and for an understanding to be reached between the political parties. He stated that there is no reason for anyone to disagree on this and mentioned that they are in constant discussion. Prime Minister Dahal expressed his gratitude for the President’s greetings, stating that they are almost close to agreeing to run the Parliament.
Prime Minister and Chairman of CPN (Maoist Centre) Dahal, Chairman of Nepali Congress Sher Bahadur Deuba, Chairman of Rashtriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Rabi Lamichhane, Chairman of Rashtriya Janamorcha Chitra Bahadur KC, Chairman of Nagarik Unmukti Party Ranjita Shrestha, Leader of CPN (Unified Socialist) Metmani Chaudhary, Janata Samajwadi Party leader Pradeep Yadav, Janamat Party’s Abdul Khan and others were present.
However, main opposition CPN UML didn’t participate in the meeting. Even ruling alliance’s senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal was not attending the meeting.
President Paudel had called the all party meeting to find ways to smooth operation of obstructed parliament session. However, political parties in the House agreed to smooth operation after the ruling alliance leaders agreed to form a high level probe commission on controversial gold smuggling case.
