The government’s plan to amend the constitution may suffer a setback with the CPN-UML warning against any such move “without justifying the significance”.

The second largest party in Parliament has taken strong exception to the government plan to register a constitution amendment proposal. It has also warned of taking to the streets “if the government pushes changes without justifying the significance”.

UML leader Agni Kharel said that the ruling parties should clearly state the changes they plan to make in the constitution. The government’s first priority should be the implementation of the constitution, he said. “The UML would support the amendment on the basis of need,” added Kharel, implying that changes should be made only when there are challenges during the

constitution implementation process.

“The ruling parties should justify the need before making any changes in the constitution. We cannot support an amendment that is aimed at making it easier for some parties to join the government and for others to strengthen the coalition. The constitution should not be used as a political instrument,” said Kharel. “The government should make it clear why there is a need of amendment proposal just before the prime minister’s visit to India.”

The ruling CPN (Maoist Centre) and Nepali Congress (NC) have said a constitution amendment proposal will be registered in Parliament before Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s visit to India beginning September 15. However, formal negotiations with the agitating parties have yet to start, largely due to non-cooperation from the UML leadership.

The ruling and agitating parties appear reluctant to push forward the amendment proposal without the involvement of the UML, as  they fear obstacles from the opposition in Parliament.

Registering the amendment proposal is just the first step towards addressing the concerns raised by the agitating Madhesi and Janajati forces. For its endorsement, UML’s support in Parliament will be crucial.

Major parties are deeply divided over the need of revision of federal boundaries, one of the key demands of the agitating Madhes-based parties. The Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha, an alliance of seven Madhes-based parties, has long been calling for revising provincial boundaries with at least two provinces in the Tarai plains.

The Maoist Centre and the NC are weighing two options to bring the UML on board. The governing parties want to engage the UML from the beginning of the negotiation process to ensure broader ownership. Or else, the governing parties are planning to register the amendment proposal first and seek the opposition’s support later.

 Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party General Secretary Sarbendra Nath Shukla said the UML will be under moral pressure to support the amendment proposal if other parties in Parliament decide to support it.