Prime Minister Sushil Koirala late on Sunday evening called on the agitating parties to join dialogue to discuss their grievances about the new constitution.

The statement comes in the wake of prolonged agitation of various political parties and stakeholders in several parts of the country where half a dozen people have been killed and dozens injured. The PM, the ruling parties and the opposition UCPN (Maoist) are under pressure to address their concerns.

In a meeting between the three parties and the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (Loktantrik) on Sunday, it was decided that PM Koirala would address the nation later in an attempt to defuse protests raging in several parts of the country. The meeting had also decided to amend the constitution draft to accommodate suggestions received from various quarters.

“I call on all the agitating parties, communities and other sections to come to the negotiating table to resolve the issues in a peaceful manner and to secure the rights of women, Madhesis, Dalits, Adivasis, Tharus, Janajatis, Muslims, backward communities, minorities and marginalised community in the new constitution,” the PM stated.

Calling on the agitating groups to participate in the constituting drafting process, the PM expressed his belief that there was no such matter which cannot be resolved through discussion. Since the drafting process is yet to be completed, said Koirala, “reasonable” suggestions could still be incorporated in the constitution. He asked the parties to present their voices peacefully in the Constituent Assembly.

“We are in a sensitive situation where there are calls to address the demands of all sections on one hand, while on the other we have a multi-lingual, multi-ethnic and multi-cultural nation with a diverse geography that needs to preserve the culture of mutual unity and good will,” said the PM.

Koirala appealed to several quarters of society to take initiatives through talks and consensus to institutionalise the achievements gained from the past struggles for democracy.

“It is our responsibility to make the Constituent Assembly a success. There is a long list of tasks to be done after the promulgation of the new constitution for national development, and peace, prosperity and people’s happiness.

“While restoring peace and stability for development, we need to promulgate soon a federal, democratic and republican constitution that guarantees rule of law, press freedom and fundamental rights of the people.”

The PM reminded the parties that the constitution is a dynamic document which can be amended as per the wish of the people keeping fundamental rights, national sovereignty and territorial integrity intact.