Vice president Paramananda Jha Monday said "nobody believes the constitution will be ready by May 27" and suggested the political parties to start discussion on the alternatives.

Speaking to a delegation of Reporters Club at his office, VP Jha said that given the lack of homework by the parties promulgation of the constitution by May 27 had become unimaginable. He said the parties would be wise to start discussing the alternatives considering the situation after May 27 (if the statute is not ready).

Jha also argued that there is no point blaming all the 601 CA members for the delay in drafting the constitution. "There may be just ten leaders from the three major parties who are responsible for it," said he.

The Vice President, who had courted controversy a number of times in the past, further said that Constituent Assembly's tenure cannot be extended anymore and that the political leaders should quit the field if they failed to promulgate the constitution. He also said that the focus now should be on the constitution than on peace process.

Jha also ruled out the possibility of the President taking matters into his hand after May 27 -- in case of failure to issue the constitution. "The President cannot be active on his own. He can be active only when other organs of the state start acting in that direction." nepalnews.com