Oppn will take stern steps if govt tries to push bill: Oli
CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli warned on Thursday that the opposition parties would take stern steps if the government tried to push the constitution amendment bill “even after a Supreme Court ruling that provincial boundaries cannot be changed without the approval of the provincial assembly”.
CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli warned on Thursday that the opposition parties would take stern steps if the government tried to push the constitution amendment bill “even after a Supreme Court ruling that provincial boundaries cannot be changed without the approval of the provincial assembly”.
The former prime minister added that the opposition parties will not obstruct Sunday’s House meeting but maintained that the government must withdraw the amendment bill and follow the spirit of consensus.
While addressing a press meet organised at the party headquarters in Dhumbarahi to inform the media about a mass demonstration planned by the UML for Friday, Oli said his party will not obstruct Parliament but will certainly take stern steps if the government tried to push the amendment bill.
The governing parties, however, have been saying that the court ruling had paved the way for tabling the amendment bill in Parliament and are planning to take the bill to the House for deliberations.
Monday’s apex court ruling is being interpreted by the governing parties and the opposition alliance differently.
While refusing to issue a stay order against taking the constitution amendment bill to the House, arguing that Parliament as a sovereign body should get the opportunity to use its wisdom, the Supreme Court on Monday had also made a reference to Article 274 of the constitution, which says matters related to changes in provincial boundaries must be sent to the provincial assembly for its consent.
The governing parties interpret the ruling as the court clearing the way for tabling the amendment bill, while the opposition alliance is sticking to the court’s reference to Article 274.
Oli on Thursday also claimed that the SC ruling validated the opposition’s argument that the amendment bill was unconstitutional. The UML chairman on Thursday also lashed out at Madhes-based parties, saying that their statements change with every lunch and breakfast meeting they hold, in an oblique reference to some top
Madhesi leaders’ lunch meeting with Indian envoy in December.
Maoist Centre to take proposal forward
The ruling CPN (Maoist Centre) has decided to take forward the constitution amendment process welcoming the Supreme Court’s ruling that refused to issue a stay order against the bill for parliamentary deliberations.
The Maoist Centre took the decision at a meeting of the party’s Central Office held at
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s personal residence in Lazimpat on Thursday.
Following the meeting, leader Agni Sapkota said the party also decided to intensify parleys with other political parties to get the bill endorsed at Parliament.
The ruling party’s conclusion comes at a time when the Supreme Court ruling on the constitution amendment bill has been interpreted by the governing parties and the main opposition to their liking.
Likewise, the Moaist Centre has announced that it would hold further discussions with the UML, who have been opposing the amendment proposal, and find a middle ground to move ahead with the process.
However, another Moaist leader Mani Thapa said the meeting would continue on Friday as it failed to reach any conclusion on the organisational structure due to the PM’s hectic schedule.
Deuba urges UML to stop parliament obstruction
Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba has renewed his request to the opposition parties to allow Parliament business, stating that only a successful parliamentary system can safeguard republicanism in the country.
The NC chief, who is also the former prime minister, stressed the need of holding local elections by amending constitution for an effective implementation of the constitution.
Inaugurating the Tanahun fair organised by local chamber of commerce and industry in Damauli on Thursday, Deuba urged the main opposition CPN-UML not to disrupt Parliament by respecting the Supreme Court’s recent ruling.
On Monday, the apex court had declined to issue an interim order against the constitution amendment bill registered by the government, citing the principle of separation of powers.
The UML opposes the move and has been organising protest programmes across the country to press the ruling parties to withdraw the bill. The main opposition party has been disrupting the Parliament business for a month.
Deuba said that the House business should be resumed to decide the constitution amendment bill.
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