Ex-lawmakers suggest options galore for current crisis

THT ONLINE

KATHMANDU: The Former Parliamentarians’ Forum (FPF) on Monday has suggested a number of options to end the present political and constitutional deadlock.

Speaking at a programme organised by Reporters Club in the Capital today‚ the leaders of the FPF have stated that the formation of a national consensus government would be the first step to end the current political impasse.

Secondly‚ the FPF has suggested to conduct the election within six months based on the existing 240 constituencies with one third of its members in the upper house on the proportional representation. The newly elected parliament will‚ then‚ promulgate the constitution.

Similarly‚ formation of a statute drafting commission to draft the constitution on the basis of the works done by the dissolved Constituent Assembly and sorting out the thorny issues through consensus and then endorsing the final draft report by first sitting of the parliament is another option floated by the FPF.

The FPF has also stressed on the need to forge consensus before going for election to take a call on the issue of state restricting and has suggested four pradeshes: Koshi‚ Karnali‚ Gandaki and Central Pradesh stretching from north to south.

Former Speaker Taranath Ranabhat‚ who is the chairman of the FPF‚ has expressed dissatisfaction‚ accusing the government of not capitalising on the experiences‚ knowledge and skills of the former lawmakers‚ even though there is such trend in the world.

Former lawmaker Omkar Shrestha advised the President to play an active role and bring the parties under a round table meeting to promulgate the new constitution.

Also speaking on the occasion were former lawmaker and the General Secretary of the FPF Shankar Nath Adhikari‚ lawmakers duo Bishnu Bahadur Raut and Sharada Pokharel.