Receiving a memorandum on the provisions regarding the press freedom to be incorporated in the proposed new constitution from the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) at the Constituent Assembly (CA) building at Naya Baneshwar on Wednesday, leader Bhattarai expressed his commitment to make utmost efforts for ensuring press freedom which he described as an important pillar of democracy.

Leader Bhattarai alleged that the Constitution Drafting Committee has brought the preliminary draft of the constitution through deceit against the agreement reached among the parties.

"A question has arisen whether to sign your obituary or to think about other alternatives if the current draft is not to be revised and the demands of the oppressed and downtrodden people not addressed,” the former Prime Minister said.

Before this, handing over the memorandum, FNJ president Mahendra Bista called for making extensive improvements and revisions in the draft constitution as the draft has sought to constrict the freedom of the press and expression.

He stressed on the need of drafting the constitution so that people of all strata can feel ownership over the new constitution, adding that it should be drafted in such manner that the democracy, change and the achievements of the peace process could be established. RSS