Timely constitution within sight as leaders sort out key differences; understanding on mixed system of govt, setting up constitutional court

Leaders from three major political parties - Unified CPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress and CPN (UML) - and Unified Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) resolved the disputes regarding forms of governance and judiciary through last-hour talks on Sunday night.

Leaders forged understanding on the disputed issues in the discussions that started at the CA building in New Baneshwar Sunday evening and which went on till late midnight . Parties made the last-ditch effort to forge understanding on disputed issues in view of the five-day deadline for the consensus that also ran out yesterday midnight.

As per the understanding reached between the parties yesterday, a mixed system of government will be adopted in which the executive powers will be shared between the directly-elected president and prime minister elected by parliament.

Emerging from the discussion, Tarai Madhesh Democratic Party leader Hridayesh Tripath said the parliament will be made strong like that in Finland and will have the authority to resolve disputes between the head of state and the head of government arising out of conflict of interest between the two power centers.

Similarly, the leaders also decided to form a constitutional court headed by chief justice for five years. The constitutional court will have a defined mandate and will not intervene into jurisdiction of the Surpeme Court, focusing chiefly on disputes related to federal affairs instead.

The parties are also close to reaching an understanding on contentious issues such as federalism, electoral system, judicial system and citizenship and are expected to forge understanding on them before the Constituent Assembly convenes on Monday afternoon. nepalnews.com