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Journalism of Courage
Maoists decision to join the Constituent Assembly bodes well for Nepal for now.
The agreement between Nepals political parties to end the deadlock caused by the refusal of the Unified Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist UCPN-M to join the newly elected second Constituent Assembly CA reopens the road to constitution-writing and concluding the peace process. The uncertainty as to whether the new CA would be able to convene at all despite the successful November 19 general election was prolonging Nepals political chaos. Tuesdays four-point agreement announced a parliamentary committee to investigate allegations against the election process and the drafting of a new constitution within six months,to be promulgated within a year. The parties also agreed on a high-level political mechanism to complete the peace process as well as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the disappearance commission,both undelivered during the first CAs term.
The NC and UML too deserve praise for persuading the UCPN-M to come on board. The three should make an effort to involve the breakaway Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist,which had boycotted the polls,in the making of the constitution. For now,democracy bulwarked by a 70 per cent voter turnout wins a new lease of life in Nepal.
