PM open for all options if parties arrive at consensus

TIKA R PRADHAN

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai on Saturday said he was ready for all the options including the revival of the dissolved Constituent Assembly if parties strike a deal on the current imbroglio.

PM Bhattarai had been opposing the concept of reviving the CA claiming that would be unconstitutional as per the Supreme Court’s ruling. However, Bhattarai today claimed that he would not go against the idea if all the parties agree upon the revival of the CA with the Apex Court’s consent.

While his party chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has been advocating for the revival of CA with the agreement of all the parties, claiming that would be the best and the cheapest option to conclude the stalled peace and constitution drafting process.

Asked about the legitimacy of his government Bhattarai said his government was not a caretaker one but the one that holds the election.

Talking to the media persons at his residence Bhattarai claimed that there was no threat against peace and constitution yet. “Only the process had been delayed but not blocked. All the forces including the CPN-Maoist have not flayed peace and constitution,” he said adding, “CA was dissolved because of the overconfidence of the parities.”

He categorically said that there must be three agreements among the parties – Firstly, parties must ensure constitution, secondly, the legal and constitutional ways should be finalised and lastly on power sharing.

PM Bhattarai said the parties should now begin discussions to garner at least two-third majority in the remaining issues of the constitution including the identity-based federalism.

He said his government would only be the vehicle to handover the agreement forged by the political parties to the President for implementation.

On media reports that Sher Bahadur Deuba accusing PM Bhattarai of denying the proposal to imposing state of emergency to save the CA, he claimed that was a white lie.

He, however, said the government will continue preparations for the scheduled election even when the dialogues among the parties continue.

On his controversial statement at Tribhuvan International Airport, he said it was necessary to make the parties realise that this government will hold the election as per the international practice. “Jhala Nath and Shushil Koirala refused to sit for talks before my departure to Brazil,” he said adding, “There was no alternative to political consensus and they must come sooner or later.”

Regarding government’s preparation for a full-fledged budget, PM Bhattarai held that it was essential to improve the deteriorating economic crises in the country and also to create environment conducive for attracting investment.