UML challenges govt’s bid to garner two-thirds majority in favor of amendment proposal

KATHMANDU, Aug 12: CPN-UML leader Jhalnath Khanal has said his party will not support the constitution amendment proposal arguing that implementation of constitution was of primary importance rather than amendment.

“UML won’t let the House pass the the constitution amendment proposal brought against the national interest,” reiterated Khanal while taking to Rishi Dhamala at a radio program ‘Nepali Bahas’.

“Our party is focused on election now,” he added.

The government is preparing to put the under-consideration constitution amendment proposal to vote at the parliament on Sunday. The background for forwarding the proposal was created after the agitating Rastriya Janata Party Nepal agreed to partake in the upcoming third phase local level elections scheduled in Province 2 on September 18 even if the House rejects the bill.

However, the RJPN has high hopes that the ruling parties will manage two-thirds majority in support of the bill to get it endorsed through the parliament; and Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has also assured the disgruntled party that he would bring required 392 votes to endorse the amendment.

But leader Khanal termed the government’s preparation to forward the proposal at the parliament as a political tactic to “damage the reputation of UML”.

“Nepali Congress and CPN (Maoist Center) want the RJPN to think that the proposal got rejected due to UML’s non-cooperation,” he added.

It’s just a political scheme to keep Madhesi people on their side,” he furthered.

He appealed the RJPN to participate in the local polls and added that forwarding the amendment proposal to the parliament is ‘unnecessary’.

“Prime Minister Deuba’s strategy to garner two-third majority has failed,” he added.

“The proposal wont pass at any cost.”

He also said that the constitution should not be amended before the formation of the province parliament.