Top leaders of the ruling and opposition parties have vowed to work together for the country’s prosperity saying that time had come to focus on development with the elections ending a prolonged political transition.

They also pledged to work together to boost acceptability of the constitution adopted in 2015 through amendment as demanded by some sections of society as it would create stability necessary for driving the country on the path of prosperity.

Addressing the meeting of the House of Representatives after it convened on Monday, the leaders on Tuesday said Nepal had a huge potential for prosperity if stability and efficient leadership are in place.

Putting forth his views in the Lower House, former prime minister and Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba said his party would work as a responsible opposition, expressing his readiness to extend support to the government on the issues of development and prosperity. Claiming that successful completion of the elections had laid the foundation for stability, the opposition leader said time had come for the parties to work for national prosperity.

“Our party will play a constructive role as a responsible opposition. It is ready to work together for developing the country,” Deuba said, adding that he was happy to hear that prime minister’s party CPN-UML had taken a liberal approach to constitution amendment of late.

Also addressing the meeting, former PM and CPN (Maoist Centre) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal argued that the country would not have reached this state had all the parties not worked together. Claiming that all the parties had joined forces for the people’s movement and while promulgating the constitution, Dahal stressed the need for same level of solidarity as the country embarks on the path of prosperity.

“The constitution has given space for everyone and is flexible enough to accommodate every community,” he said, adding that the government was ready to make necessary amendments to the constitution. The Maoist leader also claimed that the KP Sharma Oli-led government, which commands an almost two-thirds majority, needs to overhaul the “malfunctioning state machinery”, calling it the greatest obstacle to attaining the goal of prosperity.

The second meeting of the House had allowed lawmakers to express their views. Except for PM Oli, who also chairs the UML, chiefs of all the parties represented in Parliament put forth their views. Former PM Madhav Kumar Nepal represented the UML.

“The government will work according to the existing rules and norms,” Nepal said, apparently to the NC. “There is no fear of an authoritarian rule.” He appealed to the main opposition to join efforts to lead the country towards development.

Upendra Yadav and Rajendra Mahato, top leaders of the Madhes-based Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum-Nepal and the Rastriya Janata Party, Nepal, respectively, highlighted the agenda of constitution amendment, arguing that all the communities need to stand together for development.

Following the address from the top leaders, the House formed a 13-member committee to draft regulations to guide the House proceedings. The committee will have to formulate the regulations within a month.

Election schedule out

KATHMANDU: The Parliament-Secretariat has published a schedule to elect the Speaker of the HoR and chairperson of the National Assembly. Nominations for the Speaker are filed on Friday while the final list of candidates is published the same day. Voting will take place at 1pm on Saturday and the results published later in the day. According to the schedule, a member willing to run for the NA chair will have to file candidacy on March 12 while voting will be held on the 14th. (PR)