RJPN will not accept directly elected executive presidential system: Karna

KATHMANDU, June 9: Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN) leader Laxman Lal Karna has clarified that his party will not accept the system of directly elected executive presidential system in the country.

The ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, a few days ago, had said that his party is intending to introduce the system of directly elected executive president in the country by amending constitution.

“RJPN is on the side of parliamentary system in the country. The NCP is opting to change the constitution of Nepal in power of the two-third majority they command in the House. But it can be their mistake,” said leader Karna at an interaction program organized by the Reporters’ Club Nepal on Wednesday.

“Prachanda, by opining for the system, cannot take the country to executive presidential system. The system will bring dictatorship in the country. RJPN will not accept such system at any cost,” he clarified.

Leader Karna also said that he could be one of the candidates for the position of parliamentary party leader.

“The party will hold a meeting on June 18, which will endorse the parliamentary party statute. After that the elections will be held,” he said.

When asked if he would claim the position, he said: “I have the right to claim the post. RJPN has 17 lawmakers in the House. Each of them as the right to claim for the position of parliamentary party leader.”

RJPN is yet to elect its parliamentary party leader.

‘RESHAM CHAUDHARY NOT GUILTY YET’

Leader Karna also claimed that the new provision under the House of Representatives Regulations has brought for his party lawmaker Resham Lal Chaudhary.

“In a common law system, a person is not declared criminal upon his arrest. He remains a suspect unless he is proved guilty by the law. Therefore we said that a lawmaker cannot be suspended unless he is proved guilty by the court.”

The Parliament on Friday passed the House of Representatives Regulations 2075- that provisions barring a lawmaker from parliamentary privilege, perks and facilities instead of suspending his from his position upon being arrested for a criminal offence or any other offence accountable to incur a jail term of three years or more.

“The Regulations has been approved in consensus in the House,” he added.

‘EITHER SPEAKER OR DEPUTY SPEAKER MUST RESIGN IMMEDIATELY’

Two people representing the same party cannot hold the post of Speaker and Deputy Speaker in the House of Representatives.

The Speaker of the House, Krishna Bahadur Mahara and Deputy Speaker Shiva Maya Tumbahamphe both are from NCP. Earlier, before the unification of the two communist parties, Mahara represented Maoist Center and Tumbahanphe represented UML.

Article 91 of the constitution of Nepal states that the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives shall be from different parties.

“It is against the constitution. Either the Speaker or the Deputy Speaker must immediately resign,” he added.