Biased Story
Your cover story (Overtaking the Constitution May 30-June 05) is biased and against the present political trends in the country. What the constituent assembly has done was absolutely on the basis of the wishes of the people. There is no need to follow any law or constitution when there is overwhelming majority of people who want to turn Nepal into a republic. The decision of first meeting of Constituent Assembly was constitutional as well as in accordance with the wishes of the people. Terming the decision unconstitutional will serve the purpose of regressive and feudal forces. As country has already been declared republic, there is no need to debate whether it is constitutional or unconstitutional.
Jeevan Khatiwada
Via e-mail
Bad Precedent
The leaders of three political parties Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and CPN-Maoist have set a very bad precedent declaring Nepal as a republic completely ignoring the constitutional provisions, laws and established norms. Monarchy was abolished under a declaration by democratic leader Girija Prasad Koirala. If any army general makes similar pronouncement next time to revive another system, would they have any moral to oppose it? In the last three years, this country has seen every kind of illegal and unconstitutional activities and world's major powers supported all their actions without any objection. In your cover story (Overtaking the Constitution May 30, June 06) you have rightly pointed out how political leaders have been overtaking the constitution.
Samsher Rana
Via- email
Mandate Ignored
As you predicted in previous cover story CA for What (May 23-29), our political leaders completely ignored the mandate of the people to write the constitution on their own. Instead of drafting a constitution in the dark room, representatives of the people should be given opportunity to discuss and debate the matter. Of course, the number of CA members is so large but one has to give all of them the opportunity to raise their issues. People have not chosen the new members just to let them take part in the meeting clad in their ethnic dresses and flaunt their distinct identities - they were elected primarily to raise the concerns and issues regarding the problems faced by the people. From the first meeting, these members have just been treated as a rubber stamp; I don't think they will get to play any major role in the future so far as the issues of making a constitution are concerned.
Kalpana Rai
Via email
Form Maoist Government
CPN-Maoists have emerged as the single largest party and they should be given chance to form the government. Since they have shown sincere commitment towards democracy, there is no reason to distrust them. Maoists have already shown that they are committed to turn Nepal into a prosperous and stable nation. I don't understand why some broadsheet daily newspapers have been trying to discredit Maoist by bringing out false and distorted versions of news. Even for Nepali Congress and CPN-UML, this is the right time to remain in opposition giving an opportunity to Maoists to rule. Unlike other political parties, there are many patriotic leaders in Maoists who can protect Nepal's interests.
Subir Khanal
Belgium Via email
Basic Problems
It seems that nobody has the time to address the genuine problems faced by the people. For instance, the scarcity of petroleum products have already created difficulties to the people but nobody seems to be worried about this. At a time when the international price of oil continues to go up, Nepalese political leaders want to distribute them at a price which Nepal cannot afford. Not only on political agenda, political parties need to build consensus on economic agenda also. If there is a political consensus, they can change economic face of the country. Subsidizing the petroleum products is going to benefit only a small group of urban people. The prices of petroleum products should be revised and the efforts should be made to make them available easily.
Uddhav Pradhan
Pulchowk
Black Profits
As the petroleum products are in short supply, it is benefiting the black marketers. Although there is no petrol in the pumps, one can find the petrol in black market by paying between Rs.120 and Rs 200 litter. If people are willing to pay such hefty amount in black market, what is wrong for the government to readjust the price at par with the international market price?
Jitendra Bista
Lagankhel
