In an instance of sheer negligence from lawmakers from the ruling parties, the Legislature-Parliament meeting on Sunday failed to commence discussion on the Constitution Amendment Bill tabled by the government in the lack of quorum.

The House proceedings were postponed till Monday after Nepali Congress lawmaker Ramhari Khatiwada demanded Speaker Onsari Gharti halt the business raising the issue of quorum. Following the objection, Gharti directed Parliament Secretariat officials to conduct a headcount.

Just 124, against the minimum requirement of 149, lawmakers were in attendance. The Parliament regulation requires at least one fourth of total lawmakers to conduct the House business.

A majority of lawmakers even from the ruling CPN-UML were absent despite directive from party whip Gokul Gharti for their mandatory presence. “This is a serious issue,” Gharti said, adding that he would talk to the Members of Parliament about it. He said he has issued a similar whip for Monday as the meeting will discuss the Amendment Bill. The UML has 185 lawmakers in Parliament.

Though the government, with consent from the main opposition, tabled the bill in Parliament on December 16, no discussion has been held on it so far at the request of the agitating Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha and the Nepali Congress.

Chief whips of the major political parties, in the business advisory meeting held prior to the Parliament meeting on Sunday, had agreed to hold discussion despite reservations from the Morcha lawmakers. As per the agreement, Speaker Gharti had convened Parliament.

“Deliberation on the Amendment Bill could not begin in the lack of quorum. I am committed to start discussion from Monday,” Speaker Gharti said after the meeting.

Lawmakers from the eight regional parties chanted slogans against the government after expressing their views while the Speaker carried forward the business after the marshals cordoned them off in the well. 

Addressing the meeting on the Morcha’s behalf, Baijanath Chaudhary of Sadbhawana Party condemned the attack on party Chairperson Rajendra Mahato.

He claimed that police, as directed by the government, had been using excessive force against the Madhesi people as was evident also in the attack on Mahato. “The government does not seem serious about dialogue. It rather believes in bullets,” he said. 

Mahato sustained injuries in the head in a clash with police in Biratnagar on Saturday.

Lawmakers from the 

opposition parties also criticised the government for expanding the Cabinet by splitting the ministries burdening the exchequer with billions of rupees extra annually when earthquake survivors are dying from cold.

“The government is concerned only about prolonging its tenure,” said NC lawmaker Prakash Sharan Mahat. 

The House proceedings postponed till Monday after NC’s Ramhari Khatiwada demanded the Speaker to halt the business