A new amendment proposal should be brought incorporating UML’s suggestion, urges Rawal

KATHMANDU, July 6: Bhim Rawal, vice-chairman of the main opposition party CPN-UML, has argued that the government should withdraw the amendment bill currently stalled at the parliament and bring forward a new one incorporating suggestions of the UML. He added his party will have full support to the new amendment proposal if it is meets the people’s and nation’s interest.

Speaking at an interaction program organized by the Reporters’ Club Nepal on Thursday, Rawal also questioned the Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and former Prime Minister and CPN (Maoist Center) Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ ‘s silence over the amendment bill currently stalled at the parliament.

“For what reason was the proposal forwarded?”, he wondered.

He further said that the issue of sorting out the delineation disputes by forming a federal commission was of sort that would cut out the rights of province. He added, the government brought proposal also bars the chiefs, deputy chiefs of the municipalities and rural municipalities from being part of an electoral college that will elect the in National Assembly. “Our party is against as such suggestions,” he said.

“The Nepali Congress (NC) and Maoist Center (MC) alliance brought the amendment proposal going against the spirit of constitution and law. It is against the nation and people, and will only disintegrate Madhes and Hills. We are never supporting the proposition”, he added.

The opposition has registered revision on the amendment bill to Article 274 (4a) which authorizes federal parliament to endorse the changes in the revision of boundaries in consultation with the provincial assemblies instead of mandatory agreement from the provinces. The opposition parties are for continuing the existing constitutional provision which makes it mandatory to have approval from the provincial assemblies for the revision in the boundaries.

Similarly, the opposition has registered revision on the amendment to Article 86 (2) (a), barring chief and deputy chiefs of municipalities and rural municipalities (village councils) from being part of an electoral college that will elect the national assembly. It is for continuity in the existing provision in the constitution which authorizes them to be the part of Electoral College.

In the amendment proposal by the ruling alliance, an additional clause has been incorporated in Article 7 of the constitution to enlist all the languages recommended by the Language Commission in the annex of the constitution. This would allow the provinces to choose the national languages from the recommendations. “The proposal will anchor the effort to recognize Hindi language as governmental language. It can replace the local languages like Bhojpuri, Maithali, Awadhi, said Rawal, “which is unacceptable.”

Among the 50 proposals, 34 have been filed by the main opposition CPN-UML alone, seeking revision in various provisions in the amendment bill. The opposition parties, including the UML, CPN-ML, Nepal Workers and Peasants Party and Rastriya Janamorcha, have sought revision in all 11-points in the amendment.

Leader Rawal further said that UML is open to hold discussions over the issues of constitution amendment bill after the completion of round three of election scheduled for September 18.

“If the determination of local levels is not as per the distribution of population, we will discuss about it. Not only in province 2 but in other districts as well.”

Stating that people’s participation in the first and second round of local election was enthusiastic, he expected the same in the round three of election going to be held in Province 2.

He also claimed that UML will emerge as the largest party in province 2 as well.

Stating that people of Terai-Madhes want election, he urged Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN) not to deprive Madhesi people of their voting rights. He added, UML is open to hold discussion with RJPN.

He also welcomed the Federal Socialist Forum Chairman Upendra Yadav’s decision to participate in the elections.