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Maoists to join Nepal's Parliament

Ameet Dhakal

Interim constitution soon

KATHMANDU: The leaders of the ruling Seven-Party Alliance (SPA) and the Maoists on Monday agreed to promulgate the interim constitution and form the interim legislature on January 15.

The decision was reached after a meeting between the leaders of the SPA and the Maoists held at Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala's official residence.

The existing House of Representatives will be dissolved and the new interim legislature, which will have Maoist representatives, will endorse the statute with amendments.

Following a growing demand, including from the Supreme Court, for amendment to the draft of the interim constitution, the leaders agreed to discuss suggestions.

The two sides had finalised the draft on December 16 but Mr. Koirala's insistence that arms management should be sorted out first delayed its promulgation.

The United Nations arms monitors opened office in Kathmandu and Nepalgunj on Monday for registration and verifications of the Maoists' arms and combatants. It will further facilitate the promulgation of the constitution.

PTI reports:

The six-hour meeting also discussed the arms management, said Rajendra Mahato, general secretary of Nepal Sadbhavana Party. However, the interim government inclusive of the Maoists will be formed only after the arms management process is completed, Mr. Mahato said.

The meeting also called all political parties and the civil society to cooperate in conducting the Constituent Assembly polls by mid-June in a free, fair and fearless manner, Mr. Mahato said. The political leaders asked all to remain cautious while launching protests.

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, CPN-M chairman Prachanda, CPN-UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal and Nepali Congress (Democratic) president Sher Bahadur Deuba were among those present in the meeting.

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