UCPN (M) for promulgating constitution by May 27; sticks to 11-state model

The UCPN (Maoist) Monday ruled out further extension of the Constituent Assembly's term and decided to expedite talks with other parties to promulgate the new constitution within May 27.

A meeting of the party's standing committee held in the evening took the decision. According to party spokesperson Dina Nath Sharma, the party has reiterated its stance for 11-province federal model and that the party will continue negotiations with other parties for consensus on the proposal.

He said the standing committee concluded that the constitution must be issued within 27 May.

"In worst case scenario in which issuing a full-fledged constitution is not possible, the constitution should be issued within May 27 by clearly outlining procedures to settle the remaining issues," Sharma said.

The Maoist standing committee's decision comes amid news reports that Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai has started political lobbying through his aides for another extension of the CA's term.

However, Prime Minister Bhattarai made it clear today that he "is not in favour of extending the CA's term even by a day". He also said that there would be new government before May 27. nepalnews.com