Consensus‚ only way to move nation ahead: Prez to parties

THT ONLINE

KATHMANDU: President Dr Ram Baran Yadav has advised the infringing political parties to forge consensus to resolve the present political deadlock in the wake of the dissolution of the Constituent Assembly (CA), and relieve the country of the existing constitutional crisis.

Consensus has no other alternatives. It is the only way to move the nation forward at this juncture, told Dr Yadav, to top leaders of the twenty-five political parties who had reached Sheetal Niwas on Sunday morning to attend a tea reception programme hosted by Dr Yadav.

President's message to the parties came at a time when the incumbent Maoist-led government and oppositions are at bad terms over the dissolution of the CA by the Baburam Bhattarai administration and government’s unilateral decision to go for fresh polls.

The president, who is seen as the patron and protector of the constitution as envisaged in the Interim Constitution, also expressed his concerns over the escalating political polarization which may plunge the country into the constitutional crisis.

According to Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Dr Yadav expressed his concerns over the present political deadlock and urged the parties to forge consensus on the contentious issues at the earliest.

Meanwhile, CPN-UML Chairman and the former Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal met the president separately and as reported requested him not to sign the ordinances until parties reach to consensus. The government was preparing to bring the fiscal budget through ordinance.

" The government cannot move ahead through ordinance. I requested President to play his role chief executive for the government has been reduced to the status of caretaker," said Khanal after the meeting.