Prime Minister Sushil Koirala made formal and informal efforts at dialogue. But the opposition t it incomplete. As the constitution-drafting through a majoritarian process was not stopped as demanded by the opposition and also failing to hold dialogue with them, UCPN (M) leadership boycotted the Constituent Assembly. In addition, RPP (Nepal) also expressed its opposition to the process of the questionnaire committee and boycotted the Constituent Assembly. A few political parties stooped to engage in accusations and counter-accusations. After the attempts at talks turned out to be meaningless, the opposition focused its energy to protests.

Even talks could not take place

After the questionnaire committee was formed by the Constituent Assembly, leaders of the ruling coalition stated that the constitution-drafting process would not stop now. Prime Minister Koirala and UML chairperson KP Sharma Oli were among the leaders who made these pronouncements. Then the UCPN (M)-led alliance decided to boycott the Constituent Assembly meeting. UML standing committee meeting urged the UCPN (M)-led alliance not to abandon the Constituent Assembly. ‘One should not go to the streets leaving aside the responsibility given by the people; such action will invite ridicule by the people from the side-lines’1, UML chairperson Oli said.

Constituent Assembly chairperson Subash Chandra Nemwang urged the parties to narrow down the differences between the parties by following the procedures and continuing the talks at the same time. The opposition urged that the majoritarian process be stopped and sought a commitment from the ruling coalition to draft the constitution based on consensus.2 But the ruling coalition stated that the process cannot be stopped. ‘For the talks, by becoming flexible and rising above the party, I gate-crashed on Prachand ji as the prime minister of the country. But he put a condition that the questionnaire committee be dissolved. The constitution-drafting process has moved ahead. Who am I to stop the questionnaire committee formed by the Constituent Assembly? The process was started by the Constituent Assembly. I did not and I cannot stop it. I also have no authority to stop it’3, Prime Minister Koirala spelled out his limits. Meanwhile, President Ram Baran Yadav met senior UML leaders and urged that the constitution-drafting process be taken forward by ensuring that no one should be left out.4 Then a meeting of senior Congress and UML leaders took place. They indicated that the constitution-drafting process could be stopped if the opposition halted its protests and joined talks. But they insisted that the constitution would perforce be promulgated. ‘We are in the process of drafting the constitution; we will not return shamefaced by becoming unsuccessful’5, UML chairperson Oli claimed.

Prime Minister Koirala formally invited the UCPN (M)-led alliance for talks to join the constitution- drafting process and seek needed agreements and consensus. He said, ‘I want to call upon all the political parties in the Constituent Assembly and their leaders—let’s start a meaningful dialogue without delay for needed agreements and consensus for drafting the constitution together allies of the peace process and the people’s movement and keeping in mind the main responsibility towards the country and people’.6 The UCPN the (M)-led 30-party alliance concluded that the prime minister’s call had not prepared an environment of trust for meaningful talks.

Prime Minster Koirala met UCPN (M) chairperson Dahal and discussed the deadlock among the parties. Koirala again formally urged UCPN (M) and Madhes-centred political parties to come to the talks. He said, ‘I, committing myself to the spirit of national unity, consensus, cooperation, and reconciliation, specifically ask UCPN (M) and Madhes-centred parties and other parties preparing for protests to come to talks to seek consensus on the disputed issues of the constitution. This attempt shall be guided by the Interim Constitution. Liberal democratic sentiments expressed in the past agreements shall inspire us. If our attempts and understandings at constitution-drafting become reality, rest of the process shall lose their relevance’.7

Then the UCPN (M)-led alliance held a meeting. The meeting concluded that the call by the prime minister had been positive but asked the ruling parties to start a meaningful dialogue as the environment was not ready. While there was not any concrete conclusion despite attempts for talks, UCPN (M) chairperson Dahal stated that the dispute was drawn out not because of failure to reach a consensus but lack of willpower. Then Congress central working committee urged the UCPN (M)-led alliance to come to talks. UML chairperson Oli stated that designs and attempt to block the restart of the Constituent Assembly processes on various pretexts, obstruct the Constituent Assembly meetings, and hinder the Constituent Assembly in reaching a conclusion will not succeed.