Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Bimalendra Nidhi has called on the main opposition SPN-UML not to resort to House obstruction and let Parliament decide the fate of the constitution amendment bill. 

Nidhi suggested that the UML put forth their views on the amendment bill in Parliament rather than obstructing it. 

“If the main opposition has reservations, it should come discuss them in Parliament. Obstructing House proceedings is against democratic and constitutional norms. Let Parliament decide,” Nidhi said while addressing a programme organised by Forum for Women, Law and Development in the Capital on Wednesday.

Stating that the government was preparing to bring laws required to hold 

elections, Nidhi urged all other parties to play a constructive role for the sake of implementing the constitution.

On provisions on naturalised citizenship in the amendment bill, Nidhi said the government is planning to introduce the idea of immediately handing naturalised citizenship to foreign women marrying Nepali men if the women relinquish their previous citizenship keeping in mind the historic social ties the country shares with India. 

“If we are to hand citizenship to people only by descent, then yes we should not be allowing naturalised citizenship,” he said, clarifying, “But the government has brought the amendment bill also keeping in mind the rights of women who are naturalised citizens of this country.” 

The amendment bill registered by the government on November 29 aims to deal with four issues—state demarcation, naturalised citizenship, working language of provinces and representation in the Upper House.

The UML which has opposed the amendment bill has been protesting in the streets and Parliament against the bill.