New constitution a far cry for squabbling Nepal

By Krittivas Mukherjee

KATHMANDU (Reuters) - The writing of Nepal's new constitution is being clouded by a political squabble for power, underlining the enormous difficulties in store when it comes to framing the all-important document.

The April 10 election to form a special 601-member assembly crowned a peace deal with the Maoists rebels who have insisted on abolishing Nepal's monarchy and writing a new constitution.

That constitution is to be written by the special assembly within a two-year deadline, extendable by another six months.

But, going by the bitter struggle over the formation of a new government, analysts say it is difficult to imagine the new lawmakers meeting the deadline.

Nepal's attorney-general Yagya Murti Banjade says it would be impossible to have the new constitution in place within two years if the draft was not ready in a year's time.

"The constitution cannot be drafted within two years if we keep fighting on the pretext of forming a new government," he told reporters at the weekend. "It is inappropriate to fight to grasp power."

But if Nepal's political history is anything to go by, a long-drawn-out squabble for power is inevitable.

In an election that brought the Maoist rebels into electoral politics, voters dumped the traditionally strong parties -- a mandate that many people see as an endorsement of the former guerrillas as a principal agent for change.