KATHMANDU, May 10 - Constitutional experts have advised political parties not to amend the interim constitution as it will lead to delay in drafting the new constitution by the Constituent Assembly.
They have maintained that if political parties start amending the present constitution, which in their words is full of flaws, the transitional period will be lengthened.
"If the transitional period is lengthened, the history of 1951 might repeat," said constitutional expert Dr Surya Dhungel.
It may be recalled that though the new constitution was supposed to be drafted through the Constituent Assembly in 1959, that never happened.
Dhungel, speaking at a program organized by Constitutional Lawyers' Forum (CLAF) on Friday, further argued that if the present constitution is to be amended, there is no need of a new constitution. He further added, "If the present constitution is to be amended, there are over 100 flaws."
Dhungel's opinion comes at a time when a heated debate among political parties and lawyers on whether the present constitution should be amended in the changed political context is going on.
Dr Dhungel further said the Constituent Assembly (CA) itself can determine its procedure to implement the commitment to the republic. "Amendment of the interim constitution is not necessary to implement the provision on republic," he said on the ongoing debate over whether the present constitution should be amended.
Maoist central leader CP Gajurel also supported Dhungel's views on constitution amendment and said, "If we take the path of amending the constitution, the move will invite bad consequences."
However, CPN-UML leader KP Oli differed. Oli said the present constitution should be amended if the government is to be run properly.
Nepali Congress leader Dr Ram Baran Yadav protested against the "One Madhes One State" demand of Madhesi parties. Yadav said, "The state should be restructured scientifically."
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