The Nepali Congress has asked the ruling parties and the agitating Madhesi Morcha to help endorse the bill registered in Parliament to amend the new constitution. The party claims that it is the only way out of the present political mess.

The main opposition also accused both the ruling and protesting parties of not working seriously in resolving the Tarai problem. Addressing the House meeting on Sunday, NC Acting President Ram Chandra Poudel said his party would make efforts to get the bill approved by Parliament. A meeting of the NC Parliamentary Party had earlier decided to pile pressure on the ruling parties for constitutional amendment.

The NC-led government on October 7 registered a proposal to amend Articles 42, 84 and 286 of the new constitution. The paper calls for constitutional guarantee for proportional inclusive representation of marginalised communities in state agencies and electoral constituency delimitation with priority for population.

“The government is not serious about ending the impasse. The activities of the agitating parties aren’t helping either,” Poudel said. “Our party is ready for a constructive role in resolving the problem.” Madhesi Members of Parliament from the NC have been building pressure on the party leadership to take initiatives for passing the amendment proposal.

The ruling CPN-UML is refusing to move the proposal arguing that all the issues should be addressed in a package. Stating that the amendment bill was forwarded without consultation, the agitating eight regional parties are also reluctant to own it up. Poudel asked the Madhes-based parties to stop House obstruction and engage in fruitful talks.

The Madhesi parties have been obstructing parliamentary business saying that they would not let the House function without the government addressing their demands.

Reconstruction Bill delayed by two days

The Legislation Committee of Parliament on Sunday decided to delay the forwarding of the National Reconstruction Authority Bill by two days to the House. The decision was taken as per the request of the largest party which is in opposition.

NC Chief Whip Chinkaji Shrestha had sought additional time to build consensus on the bill. The NC and the UML are at odds over the bill mainly on the appointment of the chief executive officer of the Authority. The Congress wants continuation of Govind Pokhrel in the post while the UML opposes it.

The committee had decided to forward the bill to Parliament on Sunday for discussion through a vote if there was no unanimous decision about it.