A l-Political Dialogue and Consensus Committee of the Constituent Assembly sent back the disputed issues to the Constituent Assembly, Congress and UML stressed on finalising those issues by following the procedures. The meeting of Congress and UML decided to finalise those issues through voting. UML chairperson Oli stated that the constitution-drafting process cannot be stopped as UCPN (M) does not want to come to an agreement. However, they kept the door to agreement open to UCPN (M) and other parties. The two parties agreed to continue the attempts to seek consensus as well.

Meanwhile, in the parliamentary party meeting of Congress, there was discussion of concluding the disputed issues through voting if there was no agreement on the disputed issues. Party president and Prime Minister Sushil Koirala stated that procedures would be followed as UCPN (M) and Madhes-centred parties kept talking of protests despite many entreaties for consensus. In the meeting, senior leader Sher Bahadur Deuba stated that the Interim Constitution 2007 should be promulgated by removing the word ‘interim’. Deuba argued that his proposal would be appropriate if there was no consensus. However, vice-president Ram Chandra Paudel, general secretary Krishna Prasad Sitaula and others pointed out that the circumstances do not allow for promulgating the constitution as per Deuba’s proposal.

In the meeting, Constituent Assembly members suggested amending the common proposal by Congress, UML, and other parties and sending it directly the Constituent Assembly for decision. The meeting decided to suggest that the proposals presented through the Constitutional Committee should be decided by the next meeting of the Constituent Assembly and sent to Constitution- drafting Committee.1 The UML standing committee meeting at its party office in Balkhu also stressed on promulgating the constitution on January 22. For that, UML concluded that certain provisions of the Constituent Assembly Regulations should be suspended and the common proposal by Congress, UML, and other parties submitted to the Dialogue Committee should be submitted for a decision.