Kathmandu, August 26

Political leaders, civil society representatives, and rights activists have lauded the contribution of civil society in bringing peace and stability in the country. They have also urged the civil society activists for their support to take the peace process to a logical conclusion with the writing of a new constitution.

The speakers at the 14th annual general meeting of the NGO Federation lauded the crucial role played by the civil society ahead of, during and after the people’s movement when the state was in a state of uncertainty and hopelessness. They said that the civil society should be able to play a crucial role to ensure the inclusion and incorporation of the issues and problems of every individual living in the country whether it be a woman, a Himali, a Madhesi, a dalit or of any castes, creeds or culture.

Speaking at the programme, Subash Nemwang, chairman of the Constituent Assembly, said that the civil society’s role to lead the nation ahead would remain crucial. Nemwang requested to the people to become positive and move ahead accordingly.

Nemwang said, "The civil society should play a role of a watchdog."

He further said that there is no alternative to consensus and inclusiveness. "The civil society should create a campaign for the political consensus and ensure inclusion of the people from every walk of life," he added.

Nemwang blamed the political parties for indulging in trivial issues neglecting the major ones. He said that if only the political parties moved ahead building consensus on major issues of the country, it would be easier to achieve the goals of political stability and economic growth.

The speakers at the meeting urged the government and political parties to collaborate with them reckoning the role they had played so far.

Sharada Pokharel, rights activist, lauded the contribution made by civil society to bring politics on the right track during the transitional. The political parties were baffled and missed the right path. "It was civil society that brought the political parties to the right path," she claimed.

Dr. Arjun Karki, chairman of NGO Federation, alleged the political parties of being opportunists and not acknowledging the role of the civil society. "Political leaders failed to assess the role of the civil society," he added.

Jagadish Ghimire, former chairman of NGO Federation, blamed for short memory and indifference of political parties while in power. "The political parties forget everything while they are in power," said Ghimire.

Other leaders stressed the rights of every Nepali in the new constitution.

The two-day programme will discuss the issues to be incorporated in the new constitution of the federal republic of Nepal. The participants from all the 75 districts are attending the function, which started on Tuesday in Kathmandu.