As the ruling parties prepare to table the constitution amendment bill in Parliament, the Supreme Court is likely to give its verdict on a writ petition challenging the constitutionality of the proposal on Monday.

A joint bench of Chief Justice Sushila Karki and Justice Ishwar Khatiwada on Sunday decided to continue the hearing on Monday. Advocate Shambhu Thapa, Tikaram Bhattarai, Ramesh Badal and Bijay Mishra presented their arguments on behalf of the plaintiff.

On November 30, Advocate Tikadhwoj Khadka moved the apex court demanding that the bill be repealed without delay claiming that the government’s move was against the letter and spirit of the constitution.

Naming the prime minister, the government and the Legis-lature-Parliament as defendants, the petitioner wants the government to form a federal commission to find ways to resolve the dispute related to the provincial boundaries.

The ruling parties have registered the bill in the Parliament Secretariat and are set to table it in the House on Monday. The CPN-UML vehemently opposes the move and has been organising protest programme across the country.

Some argue that the government move is anti-constitutional as it is for the provincial parliament to decide on boundary revision. Others say Parliament can take the decision when the provinces have not been set up. The SC verdict is crucial as it will decide the political course.

The opposition has been obstructing Parliament to press the government to roll back the bill but the government is preparing to table the bill in Parliament on Monday despite opposition.