The main opposition CPN UML has questioned the government’s intentions behind its proposal to amend the constitution and the long-term consequences of the charter revision.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal had invited UML leaders including its Chairman KP Sharma Oli for talks after the opposition front including fringe parties decided to foil the constitution amendment proposal registered in the Legislature-Parliament.

PM Dahal had proposed that the amendment bill should be passed in consensus, urging UML leaders to join hands in resolving all the contentious issues.

Following the meeting, UML Vice-chairman Bhim Rawal said the opposition leaders sought the government’s clarity on the issue of official languages and provincial boundaries, two issues incorporated in the amendment bill.

He said the proposal to enlist the languages recommended by the Language Commission in the schedule of the constitution for official recognition and the authority to change the provincial boundaries without the state assemblies’ consent could be dangerous.

The second largest party also told the PM that the second phase of local polls cannot be held after presentation of the fiscal budget. Claiming that dividing the Hills from the plains will threaten national security, the opposition said it would not allow the amendments to be passed Parliament. “We started discussions on contentious issues and hope positive results will come out soon,” said Maoist Centre leader Barshaman Pun. Another meeting would be held on Friday.

The PM had clarified to the UML leaders that the only intention behind the proposal was to ensure wider acceptance of the constitution so that the three tiers of polls take place on time. He urged the UML to cooperate on charter amendment, budget and success of the local polls.

Other participants of the meeting were Maoist Centre leader Narayan Kaji Shrestha and UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal.