Nepal Vice President urges parties to focus on statute drafting process

Kathmandu, May 18 (ANI): Nepal Vice-President Parmananda Jha on Monday accused the political parties of neglecting the Constitution-drafting process and engaging themselves in power-seeking game.

Talking to reporters, Jha said the political parties should focus on the Constitution-drafting process and not on the government making and toppling games.

He mentioned that a majority government should be formed as the parties have failed to constitute a national unity government.

Objecting to the caretaker Prime Minister Prachanda's accusation that President Ram Baran Yadav has been guided by foreign powers in the entire development since the onset of the army chief row, he said that one should not forget ground reality before making any accusations.

He said the President Yadav in his capacity as the preserver of the Constitution had ordered Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) General Rookmangud Katawal to resume his office.

"His move has not violated civilian supremacy," Kantipur quoted him as saying.

He, however, remarked that both the Prime Minister and the President had committed mistake regarding General Katawal retirement issue. The problem had aroused, as the interim Constitution does not clearly indicate the role of President as a ceremonial one.

Meanwhile, Maoist leaders decided to stand on its stance regarding President Yadav's move.

Issuing a press statement after the party's secretariat committee meeting this morning, they appealed other political parties to build consensus on the issue.

The statement further said that the party is agitating on what it terms as holding civilian supremacy and would like other parties to come and forge consensus on the issue.

Maoists also threatened to continue disrupting Constitution Assembly proceedings if such consensus is not built. (ANI)