National
Morcha protests for constitution amendment
The Madhes-based parties on Monday demonstrated in various places across the country, pressing the government to forward the constitution amendment bill without further delay.The Madhes-based parties on Monday demonstrated in various places across the country, pressing the government to forward the constitution amendment bill without further delay.
The agitating forces took out protest rallies in Parsa, Kapilvastu, Nawalparasi, Rautahat, Dhanusha, Siraha, Saptari and Kathmandu districts, demanding charter revision before announcing the local elections.
The protesters chanted slogans and displayed placards against the government’s election plans before amendment while denouncing the CPN-UML for “pushing the country towards communal strife”.
Madhesi leaders said the demonstration was organised to counter the UML’s protest against constitution amendment. The main opposition UML has been spearheading a protest in the western region demanding that the government roll back the amendment bill tabled in Parliament on September 29.
“The UML’s stance against the constitution is both undemocratic and unconstitutional. It appears hell bent on leaving constitution implementation in disarray and pushing the country towards uncertainty. It would be really unfortunate if it doesn’t rethink on its position,” said Sadbhawana Party Chairman Rajendra Mahato.
Despite assurances of passing the amendment bill from Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and key leaders of the ruling coalition, Madhesi leaders doubt if that happens despite growing opposition against the bill. The opposition bench with more than one third of parliamentarians has stood firm against the bill.
Some Madhesi leaders have described Monday’s demonstration as a “rehearsal to a full blown protest” to ensure the amendments. They said that top leaders of the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha are in talks with the Janajati and Tharu groups to launch a joint protest. Tharu groups, which are also in protest against disintegration of the Tharu clusters in the proposed state demarcation, do not appear keen to form an alliance with the Madhesi parties. Moreover, the Tharu leaders who were at the forefront of the 2015 protest against constitution promulgation that claimed more than 60 lives, fear counter protests such as those seen in Butwal, Nawalparasi and Bhairahawa.
RPP Chairman Thapa calls for consensus
Kanchanpur: Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Central Chairman Kamal Thapa has urged leaders of major parties to forge consensus on major agendas before forwarding the constitution amendment bill.
Speaking at a press meet organised by the Media Nepal, Kanchanpur chapter on Monday, Thapa, however, warned that pushing the bill in its existing form would be counterproductive. Thapa stated the genuine demands of the Tarai-centric parties should be addressed. (RSS)