Miscellaneous
Govt on way to House, oppn to take to streets
Though it is not clear when the government will register a constitution amendment proposal in Parliament, it does appear set to do so in a few days. But questions are already being asked: At what cost? Or whose interest will it serve?Tika R Pradhan & Roshan Sedhain
Though it is not clear when the government will register a constitution amendment proposal in Parliament, it does appear set to do so in a few days. But questions are already being asked: At what cost? Or whose interest will it serve?
There is already a huge chasm between the governing parties and the main opposition. And with differences surfacing in the agitating Madhes-based parties, there are fears that the constitution amendment plan may not bode well. At least early signs do not appear promising.
On Thursday, CPN-UML Chairman KP Oli directed his party rank and file “to get ready for protests”.
While addressing an interaction organised by student and youth wings of the UML in the Capital, Oli said, “Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal must not forget that the UML is also in Parliament.”
Stating that the prime minister was at a loss for words when he asked why he was planning to split Province 5 and at whose behest, Oli vowed to block the government plan to register amendment proposal.
Just as Oli was calling on his party cadres to launch protests, UML activists had already taken to the streets.
While Oli is making strong comments against the amendment proposal, a key constituent of the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM), which has long been demanding amendment to the constitution, has outright rejected the government’s proposal, saying it does not address the agitating parties’ concerns.
“We have been cheated in the past and we don’t want to be duped again,” said Upendra Yadav, chairman of the Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum-Nepal (SSF-N).
The SSF-N, which has already warned of disowning the constitution amendment proposal if it fails to address all the concerns raised by the agitating parties in entirety, says the government proposal does not address the concerns raised by marginalised and excluded communities.
Other constituents of the Morcha have shown signs of taking ownership of the amendment proposal, but with some caveats.
“This certainly does not address all of our demands,” said Rajendra Mahato of Sadbhawana Party, adding that the Morcha’s struggle to press the government to address other remaining demands will continue. “We have said we will accept this constitution amendment proposal if it is registered in line with the understanding reached with the agitating parties, as we believe it will be able to address some of our demands.”
Amid all this, the government’s plan to register the amendment proposal “at any cost” is fraught with danger, as it could trigger polarisation, which can have a direct impact on constitution implementation.
On Thursday evening, PM Dahal invited Oli at Baluwatar “to convince” him to support the government plan of registering the amendment proposal. But Oli reiterated his stance that his party will not support the amendment proposal. “Our party will launch stern protests from the streets and Parliament,” UML Vice Chairman Bamdev Gautam quoted Oli as telling PM Dahal.
According to PM Dahal’s Chief Political Adviser Chakrapani Khanal, the government has almost finalised the amendment proposal but it will take a few days before it is registered it Parliament.
Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ajay Shankar Nayak said discussions are still underway.
Sources said the government is planning to discuss the amendment proposal in the Cabinet on Friday.