KATHMANDU, Aug 21: Nepali Congress leader Bimalendra Nidhi has appealed for support to the constitution amendment bill tabled in the parliament.

Taking part in today’s meeting of the Legislature-Parliament, leader Nidhi urged all to garner support from all parties to the constitution amendment bill.

Similarly, CPN-UML lawmaker Yagya Sunuwar said his party would not support the amendment proposal brought by the government at a time when the country is facing problems due to landslide and flood. He said the UML would stand against the constitution amendment proposal.

Likewise, Amanlal Modi of CPN (Maoist Centre), said that all parties should stand in favor of constitution amendment proposal as it was brought in favor of the suppressed people.

Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal leader Sarbendranath Sukla said that the RJPN would support the constitution amendment proposal with a belief that it would help establish peace and move the country ahead.

Leader Ashok Rai, also of the same party, said only the general issues raised by the agitating parties would be addressed.

President of Rastriya Janamorcha Chitra Bahadur KC expressed the view that the constitution amendment would be appropriate only after holding extensive deliberations at the provincial level after the completion of election at all the three tiers.
CPN-UML’s Prem Giri said the amendment introduced to recognize a foreign language as national language is not acceptable at any cost.

NC’s Pradip Giri said the parliament should not only be used as a forum for making governments but also to inform the people on the burning issues of the nation.

Clause-wise deliberations on the Bill relating to second amendment to the Constitution of Nepal, 2073 is underway at the parliament. RSS

KATHMANDU, Aug 20: The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has decided to vote against the tabled constitution amendment bill.

The party during a party’s central working committee meeting in Hetuda, on Sunday, decided not to vote in favor of the amendment bill stating that the ruling coalition was responsible for the party’s split. RPP has accused the government of failing to forward the amendment proposal about the reinstatement of Hindu State into discussion.

RPP has also concluded that the amendment bill could not address the genuine demands of Madhesi people. The party also concluded that RPP joining the government had done great mistake.

The government is preparing to put to bill to vote at the parliament on Monday. With RPP pulling back and deciding to vote against the bill, constitution amendment is not likely.

KATHMANDU, Aug 16: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has appealed all the parties representing in the legislature-parliament to support the constitution amendment bill tabled in the parliament.

The under-consideration amendment bill was tabled at the Legislature-Parliament on Wednesday. Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Yagya Bahadur Thapa had presented the bill seeking clause-wise discussion on it.

Prime Minister Deuba at an all party meeting also shared about the efforts that the government is making in the rescue and relief of the flood survivors, and called for coordinated support of all parties to that end.

The all-party meeting was focused on the constitution amendment bill, post-disaster rescue and relief measures and holding the provincial and federal elections together, according to CPN-MC leader Narayan Kaji Shrestha.

Rastriya Janamorcha Chair Chitra Bahadur KC said his party put forth the view in the meeting that constitution amendment was not the need of the hour.

The Rastriya Janata Party however called for immediate endorsement of the constitution amendment bill to pave the environment for them to take part in the election.

Talking to media persons following the meeting, Coordinator of the RJPN Presidium Mahantha Thakur said his party was hoping for a positive result in the amendment proposal registered in the parliament.

“We are not against elections, but we want to take part in it after building an atmosphere conducive it,” Thakur said.

Next meeting of the Legislature-Parliament shall take place at 1.00 pm on August 20. RSS 

KATHMANDU, JULY 19: The ruling parties have pledged the agitating Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN) to address all of the latter’s concerns except the constitution amendment within the next three days.

The agreement was made during a meeting between the ruling parties Nepali Congress and CPN (Maoist Center) and RJPN held at the Prime Minister’s residence in Baluwatar on Wednesday.

RJPN, saying that it is ready to participate in the upcoming elections, had taken stand that the government addresses their demands first or it could not think of participating in the election in the status-quo.

The ruling side had informed the RJPN that discussions on constitution amendment proposal would be continued although the situation is not promising that the constitution amendment proposal would be passed for lack of the required two third majority support.

Meanwhile, Prime Miister Sher Bahadur Deuba has pledged to fulfill their demands within the next three days.

“Deuba has promised us to drop cases filed against RJPN cadres, compensate those injured in the Madhes movement and give martyrdom status to those killed during protest through a cabinet meeting,” said coordinator of RJPN presidium Mahantha Thakur told Reporters’ Club Nepal.

RJPN has also been assured that the amendment process will be moved ahead after that.

Prime Minister and Nepali Congress president Sher Bahadur Deuba, CPN (Maoist Centre) chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, RJP Nepal chairman Thakur , among other leaders were present in the meeting.

KATHMANDU, July 10: Upendra Yadav, chairman of Federal Socialist Forum, Nepal (FSF, Nepal) has clarified that his party would vote in favor of the tabled under-discussion constitution amendment bill.

“We are not against the amendment proposal. We will vote in favor of the bill to get it endorsed through the parliament,” said Yadav while speaking during an interaction program organized by the Reporters’ Club Nepal on Monday.

He, however, argued that the bill was yet incomplete and imprudent and argued that the country will get positive exit from all the instability being faced currently if the bill is revised with utmost attention and then endorsed.

He further argued that the under-discussion proposal was not sufficient to address all the concerns of Madhesis, Indigenous people and federal system. He was of the opinion that the issues and problems related with constitution should be settled in a single unit to avoid possible conflicts.

Yadav also cleared that his party is not joining the Deuba led government. “We will only join the government when we feel it’s important.”

KATHMANDU, July 8: The government is starting discussion with the agitating Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN) and other parties in a bid to endorse the constitution amendment proposal currently stalled at the legislature-parliament.

After RJPN threatened the government to boycott the September 18 polls if their concerns are not addressed including the amendment of the constitution, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba called RJPN leaders at his resident at Baluwatar for holding talks.

RJPN leaders have demanded  endorsement of the  amendment bill, increase in the number of local units in the southern plains, withdrawal of  cases filed against their party cadres, and compensation for those injured during the Madhes movement. But the main opposition CPN-UML has refused the proposal claiming it to have brought going against the national interest.

PM Deuba, CPN (Maoist Center) Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and other leaders of the ruling alliance during the meeting had assured the RJPN to endorse the under-discussion amendment bill.

“We can garner two-third majority in support of the tabled amendment bill without any support from the main opposition party CPN-UML,” claimed leader of the Nepali Congress party Sashank Koirala while talking to the Reporters Club Nepal. “We have 398 votes in favor of the amendment,’ he added.

PM Dahal and Prachanda are also holding talks with Rastriya Prajatantra Party on Saturday afternoon. The ruling parties’ leaders have been claiming that two-thirds majority can be garnered in favor of the bill if the RJPN votes for it.

The bill has been stalled at the parliament after the government failed to garner two-thirds majority in its favor following non-cooperation from the opposition parties. However, PM Deuba has assured that the amendment bill would be endorsed immediately after June 28 polls. The bill was registered at the parliament by the then Prime Minister Dahal on April 11.

Also during the meeting, the ruling parties discussed about the cabinet expansion. According to sources, the government is preparing to hand over 4 ministries to RPP, 3 to Nepal Loktantrik, 3 to Federal socialist Forum, 1 to CPN (United), 4 to other lawmakers from small parties. The responsibility of the remaining 15 ministries will be given to the leaders of the ruling alliance.

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.

KAHTMANDU, June 14: Leader of Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN) Brishesh Chandra Lal has reiterated that his party will not participate in the election unless the constitution amendment bill, which is currently stuck at the parliament, is endorsed.

Speaking at an interaction program organized by the Reporters’ Club Nepal on Wednesday, he accused the government not to have taken the concerns of Madhes seriously.

“The government has repeatedly tricked us saying that they would amend the constitution. We remain firm on our stance and we are not participating in any election if the constitution is amended. We will not let the government deceive us this time,” he said.

Leader Lal further said that whether the government postpones the second phase election or not was none of their concern. “Our concern is our demands, which should be addressed. Constitution should be amended.”

He also clarified that RJPN’s agitation will not stop until the government fulfills their demands. He furthered, “Even if the government does written commitment, there is not condition that we can put our trust on them.”

Lal also accused Federal Socialist Forum Chaiman Upendra Yadav  to have stepped down from the Madhes agitation and claimed, “Yadav will be be able to handle the pressure from people and will return to participate in the agitation.”

“We will welcome Yadav,” he added.

KATHMANDU, May 28: Senior leader of Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN) Mahendra Raya Yadav has reiterated that the constitution amendment bill must be endorsed at any cost, for which the government must play the guardianship role, otherwise their party would not take part in the election. Here is an excerpt from an interview between Yadav and senior journalist Rishi Dhamala.

Is your party ready to participate in the election?

We have been reiterating that the government first address our concerns and create environment for us to take part in the election. But, such is not the situation now. UML has demonstrated some flexibility lately, but there is no condition we can completely trust them. Also, if the government wants, it is not impossible.

If the government addresses the concerns of Madhes leaving the delineation issues, will RJPN take part in the election?

It is our only wish that the issues of Madhes will be solved.

UML have hinted to stand for the constitution amendment bill in the Baluwatar meeting. What do you say?

Yes, they have. But despite their hints, the problem is that UML don’t keep their words. UML speak many things, but never implement them.

People seem ready to participate in the election. Why is your party not ready?

The opposition parties obstruct the House and the government blaming the opposition for halting parliament business breaks free of all the problems. Then, who is to bear responsibility?

But hasn’t the Supreme Court issued stay order to the government’s decision to add the number of local levels.

What can we say! The court has always overlooked the injustice done the the Madhes. We have never understood why is there such dillydallying on adding the number of local levels according the distribution of population. Disparity toward Mahes has reached its full.

Shouldn’t all follow the constitution?

If we had accepted this constitution, we would not have agitated. We have been repeating that this constitution is full of errors and constitutes such contents that rule out the concerns of Madhes. We have said we will establish political understanding, only if the constitution addresses our demands.

But the endorsement of the constitution amendment bill needs two-third majority doesn’t it?

It is the government’s responsibility to gather two-third support in favor of amendment. We have also been trying. Besides, we, while forming the Prachanda led government, had clearly put that we will take part in the election only if the amendment bill gets endorsed in the parliament. Why did the government stepped away? Why is all this dillydallying? They unite when anything comes up to any of the major political parties, but why is there division when it comes to addressing the concerns of Madhes? Why sort of political character is this?

Is it legitimate to drop cases against those involved in Tikapur incident?

It’s a political issue. Some have been displaced and some are still imprisoned in criminal charges. We expected from the government for nine months. Certainly, the government put some efforts, but our demands could not be addressed.

How can those directly involved in Tikapur incident be forgiven?

Let the government point out the names of the criminals. We won’t leave them unpunished.

Haven’t you demanded with the government to drop charges even against the criminals involved in the incident?

No, it’s not true. It’s only false publicity. We have never asked the government to forgive the criminals. Besides, it’s a political issue and should be taken as the same.

How do you comment on Upendra Yadav’s and Bijay Gachhadar’s decision to take part in the election?

Their parties have been registered. They have election symbols. How do we contest in the polls? And under which election symbol? We have only been rumored as a party who doesn’t want election. What can be done if the opposition UML and the government can’t establish consensus over our simple and legitimate demands, while they find consensus while bargaining the PM’s chair.

If your party is provided with an election symbol, will you go to election?

The government must address all of our demands first.

Has it been agreed to provide you an election symbol in the Baluwatar meeting?

No such agreements have been made. Prime Minister has told us that he would hold talks with the Election Commission.

Has time to make package agreement arrived?

Possibility is low but not jammed. The constitution making parties must become eager for that. We asked to fulfill our demands even leaving out the delineation issues. But what are they doing? I say, it’s possible. The constitution will get its relevance on the day our demands are addressed.

Are secret tricks being set up to defer the second phase election?

We don’t know about that. All we want is that the government addresses our demands and make environment for us to participate in the election. Previous elections were conducted without addressing our concerns. But, today, the constitution is being enforced forcefully ignoring Madhes, which will not have fruitful results. It will only worsen the problems.

KATHMANDU, May 22: The CPN (United) has decided to support the constitution amendment bill which is registered in the parliament.

The politburo meeting of the party presided over by the party chairman Ganesh Shah today has opined for forwarding the bill before the second phase of local poll to complete it peacefully.

The meeting has thanked political parties and concerned sides for completing first phase local level election peacefully.

It further has drawn the attention of election commission regarding violation of election code of conduct.

According to party publicity department chief Kedar Chandra Sharma, the meeting reviewed the first phase local poll and contemporary politics, and decided to make coalition with progressive and leftist parties in upcoming second phase election slated for June 14. RSS