Talks underway to end political deadlock in Nepal: Koirala

Nepalese Prime Minister Sushil Koirala today said the government is committed towards drafting a democratic constitution and talks are underway with different political parties for the purpose.
The current political deadlock can be resolved through dialogue, unity and reconciliation, Koirala pointed out while addressing a function organised here on the occasion of the 65th democracy day to felicitate freedom fighters.
"The country will move forward on the path of economic prosperity and development once peace and stability is attained by promulgating a democratic constitution," the Nepali Congress president said.
His comments came at a time when Nepal's ruling alliance and the opposition parties led by UCPN-Moist are at logger- heads with each other on key issues in the Constitution- drafting process, including federal structure and forms of governance.

Opposition parties are also demanding an ethnic identity-based federal structure in the new Constitution which was initially supposed to be promulgated by January 22.
Koirala said all those who are opposed to the principle of democracy will be defeated like the autocratic King Gyanendra, who undermined the democratic forces by assuming absolute power.

Koirala also felicitated around 300 freedom fighters affiliated to the oldest democratic party Nepali Congress at the party's central office in Sanepa.
On the occasion, Koirala handed over certificates of honour and shawls to the freedom fighters, who are at least 75-years-old and have made contributions in establishment and re-instatement of democracy between 1950 and 1960.

The oldest freedom fighters Manisundar Bajimaya, 102, and Bhumishwor Sapkota, 101, were among those honoured.
Koirala was also honoured by the president of Nepal Freedom Fighters Association, Tanka Sharma Kandel, on the occasion.