There are apprehensions among senior UML leaders that such a statement from the prime minister could be a tactic to prolong his stay in power. "There was the 16-point agreement among parties to promulgate new constitution by mid-July. But after the agreement is reached, the prime minister is saying overriding due process would not be acceptable to his party while the president has started saying the deal is unconstitutional," said UML politburo member Bishnu Rimal.Rimal argued that such remarks by prime minister and the sitting president could be a tactic to prolong NC's stay in power. "Whether the president himself is constitutional is a matter of debate. It does not suit him to argue that the 16-point deal is unconstitutional," he further said.
However, NC Chief Whip Chin Kaji Shrestha said Prime Minister Koirala is not in favor of deferring promulgation of new constitution. "All he wants is to ensure participation of people in the constitution making process. Of course, we want to promulgate new statute as early as possible. This does not mean we are in favor of bypassing due constitutional process," said Shrestha.
Shrestha argued that Prime Minister Koirala wants to ensure that all people get a chance to read the constitution before it is promulgated. "The agreement does not say that draft constitution won't be taken before the people. The prime minister's statement has been misinterpreted," he further said.
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