PM Oli has not yet agreed upon constitutional amendment which has disgruntled the Deputy Prime Minister Upendra Yadav and Dr Babu Ram Bhattarai. The parties main agenda was to have the constitutional amendment bill tabled at the parliament in a jiffy, but apparently things seem to go otherwise.

According to PMO sources Federal Affairs Minister Bhanubhakta Dhakal has briefed the Prime Minister to this regard about absolute discontent within its coalition members from the Samajwadi Party led by DPM Yadav.

Dr. Bhattarai, who is the Chairman of the Federal Council of the Samajwadi Party, has been salient regarding the issue, and has been applying pressure to Yadav to pull out of the existing coalition.

This has escalated to a point where crucial constituents have been largely dissatisfied which include a large population of Madhes. A prolonged year with the government and the amendment is not in sight. Earlier the Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN) had withdrawn its support to the government for its failure to keep its promise of amending the constitution.

The amendment includes demarcation, citizenship and identity rights for the people of Madhes where most of them are economically backward. The RJPN also accused the government of not withdrawing cases filed against those arrested during the Madhes movement and neglected on medical treatment of those individuals injured during the protests.

RJPN had dropped its support to the government just hours after the District Court of Kailai convicted their parliamentary representative Resham Lal Chaudhary in the gruesome killing of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Laxman Neupane and seven other security personnel along with a two year old girl child, in Tikapur back in 2015.

‘IF PM OLI CANNOT AMEND CONSTITUTION, ANOTHER PRIME MINISTER WILL’

‘MERGER WITH SAMAJWADI PARTY IN NEAR FUTURE IS NOT ON CARDS’

Federal Affairs and General Administration Minister Lal Babu Pandit is no position to continue his position as minister, said Rastriya Janata Party Nepal leader Raj Kishor Yadav.

Minister Pandit has been facing criticism after the Public Service Commission (PSC) announced vacancy on May 29 for the recruitment of 9,161 staffers at various positions in 515 local governments, which the lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties and Province 2 government has slammed saying it is against the spirit of the constitution and the principles of inclusive representation of all communities and genders in the local bodies. They have also said that the vacancy announcement breaches the rights of the provincial PSCs to recruit staffers at local units.

“If we review the decisions taken by the government, many of them have breached the spirit of the constitution,” said Yadav during a television interview Janata Janna Chahanchan broadcast on Prime Times television.

“The vacancy announcement by the PSC is a direct challenge to constitution. And Minister Pandit is the defending the vacancy announcement,” he added.

Following the pressure from lawmakers and Province 2 government, the State Affairs Committee of the parliament directed the government and the constitution body to cancel the vacancy announcement concluding that it was against the constitution.

However, Minister Pandit defended the vacancy advertisement saying it was completely in line with the constitution and was announced as per the operating Civil Servants Adjustment Act.

“The Federal Civil Servants Act is still under consideration at the Parliamentary State Affairs and Good Governance Committee. The parliament, after holding a rigorous discussion in the committee, approved the Civil Servants Adjustment Act—which states that after the adjustment process, the vacant positions, if demanded by the local and provincial bodies, will be sent to Federal PSC through the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration without any modification until the formation of Provincial Public Service Commission,” Minister Pandit said in a television interview earlier this month.

“Since the PSC cannot announce the vacancy based on the under-consideration Act, the constitutional body has to announce the vacancy as per the operating Act. The federal PSC, as sent by the government, announced the vacancy in line with the constitution,” Pandit had insisted.

But, Yadav said that the minister has no right to challenge the direction of the State Affairs Committee.

“Minister Pandit did a mistake challenging the order of State Affairs Committee.”

“Who is he? He is just a minister. But the State Affairs Committee is a mini parliament. I think Pandit has lost his mind,” he fumed.

“One of the reasons behind Oli government’s unpopularity is Minister Pandit. In fact, he has no knowledge of the Constitution of Nepal.”

“Therefore, he should be sacked immediately. Pandit has no moral ground to continue his post as minister.”

Yadav also said that Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli should heed the demands of the Madheshi people and take steps for the amendment of the constitution as promised.

“If he cannot amend the constitution, another prime minister will do it,” he said.

On March 6, the RJPN terming the government unsuccessful in matters pertaining to constitution amendment, failure to withdraw ‘false’ charges against those arrested during the Madhesh and Tharuhat movement and check corruption, withdrew its support given to the government.

When argued the Oli government has two-third majority and is strong, Yadav replied, “His strength was seen a few days ago.”

“Did not the Maitighar Mandala demonstration shake the Singhadurbar?”

Following the introduction of controversial Guthi Bill, thousands of protesters had gathered at Mandala–biggest demonstration after 2006 People’s Movement– demanding the withdrawal and cancellation of the Guthi Bill. The government on Tuesday officially withdrew the bill registered at the National Assembly.

“What he calls is the power of the parliament and the power of people.

‘If PM Oli is reluctant to heed the concerns of people, he does not have a future,” he said.

Yadav also expressed dissatisfaction toward the government’s failure to check corruption, maintain peace and security, good governance and structural transformation.

“Instead the government has tried to attack the culture and tradition, restrict press freedom and expression and control media,” he said.

Yadav also clarified that the possibility of merger between RJPN and recently formed Samajwadi Party (after the merger between Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Upendra Yadav led Federal Socialist Forum Nepal and Dr Baburam Bhattarai led Naya Shakti Party) is low.

“We are holding informal discussions with Samjwadi Party. We are always open to unite with the parties with similar political background and agenda. But, merger with Samajwadi Party is not on the cards in near future,” he said.

RJPN has put forth a condition that merger with Samajwadi is possible only after Upendra Yadav sever ties with the government.

Related Coverage:

Vacancy announcement in line with constitution: Minister Pandit (With Video)

KATHMANDU, May 7: Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN) leader Mahendra Raya Yadav has said that unification with the newly formed Samajbadi Party Nepal is the need of the people and country.

Federal Socialist Forum Nepal (FSFN) led by Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Upendra Yadav and Naya Shakti Party Nepal led by former Prime Minister Dr. Babu Ram Bhattarai formally united on Monday to form Samajbadi Party, vowing to become an alternate political force in the country.

With the new party taking the agenda of constitution amendment and people’s struggle as their medium to move forward centering their politics in Terai-Madhes, RJPN seems eager to give the stalled month-long merger process another go ahead.

“We want to merge with the Samajbadi party. We did not have enough time for discussion with the FSFN. But informal negotiations are still continuing. RJPN-Samabadi merger is the need of the country and people,” said Yadav talking to Rishi Dhamala at a Nepali Radio Network program Nepali Bahas. The RJPN is currently on homework for holding its first general convention.

“The ruling party Nepal Communist Party and the main opposition party Nepali Congress are trying to force two-party system bringing the provision of five percent threshold. Therefore, unification with Samajbadi is a requisite. Our party has officially decided to merge,” he added.

At present, a party should garner three percent votes under Proportional Representation and at least one seat under the First-Past-the-Post in the elections to gain the status of the national political party.

When asked if RJPN will agree with Samajbadi party’s 11-province model for the federal structure, Yadav said that his party also demands state restructuring.

“We have demanded revision in the constitution because we disagree with the current model of province demarcation,” he said.

Also, if the unification with the Samajbadi materializes, it will put RJPN into a stronger position to bargain with the government its agenda of constitution amendment since the three-party merger will give them 34 seats in the 275-member parliament.

RJPN, in early March, withdrew its support from the government led by Nepali Communist Party Chair K P Sharma Oli, citing the prime minister failed to keep his promise of constitution amendment.

“The clause in disagreement must be amended. Consensus on the political issues we have forwarded is a must,” he said.

He also asked Prime Minister Oli to discard his arrogance of two-third majority he commands in the parliament.

“The arrogance of previous governments led to breaking of 10-yearlong Maoist insurgency. If PM Oli keeps showing his arrogance, more problems will be created. There will be no peace, good governance and stability,” he said.

Also Read: 

Samajbadi Party: A new power on the horizon as merger with RJPN looms

KATHMANDU, April 30: Chairperson of Nepal Communist Party (NCP), Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said that the constitution could be amended and revised as per the need as it was a living and dynamic document.

Chair Dahal said, “Constitution will be amended and revised as per the need and demands of the people. The NCP is clear on it.”

Welcoming leaders and cadres of Madhes Tarai Forum, active in State-2, to the NCP today, he said that he took initiatives to amend the constitution to ensure maximum rights to the people.

A process would be started by holding discussion with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli for the same, added Chair Dahal. Also the former Prime Minister, Dahal said that preparation was underway to bring a special programme in Tarai Madhes.

He said, “The government has put the construction of the postal highway in priority. Works for the construction of fast track linking Tarai-Madhes with Kathmandu Valley have been moved ahead.” The NCP chair further said that the state-2 government has not been moving ahead in favor of Madhesi people.

On the occasion, chairperson of Madhes Tarai party Amar Yadav announced the merger of the party in NCP. RSS

LAHAN, June 16: Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN) Presidium committee member Rajendra Mahato has ruled out any possibility of joining the government till the constitutional amendment is undertaken.

At a meet with cadres at Choharba of Siraha Saturday, leader Mahato put his stance clear that RJPN will not go the government until and unless constitution is amended, the criminal cases labeled against their leaders and cadres is withdrawn and oath of office is administered to Resham Chaudhary.

On the same occasion, RJPN leader and Province-2 parliamentarian Manish Kumar Suman accused the government of trying to control free press.

FSFN TO PARTICIPATE IN THE GOVT

KATHMANDU, May 28: The government led by Nepal Communist Party (NCP) has signed a written agreement to amend the constitution on Monday.

The chairs of NCP, K P Sharma Oli and Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and Federal Socialist Forum Nepal Chair Upendra Yadav signed the two point agreement during a meeting held at the Prime Minister’s Office in Baluwatar.

According to the agreement, the issues and demands raised by the Madhes based party FSFN during the Madhes movement will be addressed in consensus by amending constitution.

The agreement also states the FSFN will participate in the Prime Minister Oli’s government.

With now FSFN, the fifth largest party in the parliament, joining the government, NCP will have a strong political support in the House.

FSFN Chair Yadav, after withdrawing its amendment proposal on government’s policies and programs on Sunday, had said that the withdrawal of amendment was just a gesture that his party had unflinching support to government.

Earlier, following a meeting with the ruling party chair Dahal and PM Oli’s assurance on Sunday, FSFN had decided to withdraw its amendment proposal on government’s policies and programs.

The written agreement has also paved way for Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN), who has put forth the condition of constitution amendment as a prerequisite to join the government, to come onboard the Oli-led government. RJPN has not withdrawn its amendment proposal of government policies and programs.

FSFN is likely to get three ministries in Oli’s cabinet.

KATHMANDU, May 26: Federal Socialist Forum Nepal Co-chair Rajendra Shrestha has accused the Nepal Communist Party-led government of being unproductive and arrogant.

“The ruling two left parties united during the honeymoon period. Thus, the government has become more arrogant lately,” Shrestha told Reporters’ Club Nepal.

“The policies and programs the government brought earlier this week is no different than those introduced by the erstwhile governments. So, I do not think this is an achievement,” he added.

Shrestha furthered that though the government has not done anything so much controversial during its 100 days, its works and achievements are not remarkable expect crackdown on decades-long syndicate on public transport sector.

“There are no evident achievements of the government expect end of syndicate,” he furthered.

He further said that the government claims that the bilateral relation with India has improved. But “its foreign policy is yet to reach a balancing point.”

“The government has exaggeratedly described its ambitious plans to the people, vision of prosper and happy Nepal for example, but the government has failed to implement them,” he continued.

Shrestha also accused the government of conspiring to weaken the federalism. He added, “Unless the government fulfils our demand of constitution amendment, FSFN will not join the government.”

“We need a written commitment on constitution revision from the prime minister,” he added.

KATHMANDU, May 24: The chances of Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN), the fourth largest party in the federal parliament, joining the government are becoming uncertain due to lack of concrete assurance over constitution amendment from Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli. In the backdrop of growing rift between Federal Socialist Forum Nepal and the government, RJPN leaders held a meeting with PM Oli at Baluwatar on Thursday. The RJPN leaders said that they are open to the possibility if the government assures them of constitution amendment.

Meanwhile, the RJPN, even five months after the conclusion of November 26 December7 House of Representatives and Provincial elections, has failed to elect a parliamentary party leader, deputy leader, chief whip and whip, among others. The government also unveiled its policies and programs for the upcoming fiscal year 2018/19 on May 21. Focusing on these issues, Reporters’ Club Nepal President Rishi Dhamala has interviewed Mahendra Raya Yadav, leader of RJPN. Here is an edited excerpt of the interview:

What is RJPN’s view on the policies and programs brought by the government?

It is ambitious but not enough to meet the people’s dream of economic prosperity. Therefore the policies and programs must be amended. Also, it is important how to implement the endorsed programs.

Why do you think the policies and programs are not enough?

The policies and programs need some changes. We have proposed amendment over it because it, especially, has failed to include the problems of families of the martyrs. The policies and programs, in overall, have excluded the agenda of ensuring fundamental rights to all the people of the country.

Should not the policies and programs focus on economic agendas?

The government should find out the ways to resolve the ongoing political problems along with agenda of economic development. Without resolving the political problems, economic development is not possible.

How likely is RJPN joining the government?

There have been no such talks about RJPN participating in the government. Unless the government gives unequivocal assurance to constitution amendment, release of political prisoner and treatment of those injured in the Madhes movement, moral ground for us to participate in the government will not be created.

Isn’t constitution amendment RJPN’s major agenda?

Certainly! People have given us a mandate to amend constitution. Therefore, until our demands are not met, the door to join the government will not open. People will not discount us to abandon the agenda of constitution amendment.

What do the people of Madhes want?

People of Madhes want unity between the political parties. It is their wish to have a strong force in Madhes.

Why has RJPN elected a parliamentary party leader yet even after five months of conclusion of the elections?

We are preparing statute. After we finalize the statute, we will nominate a PP leader. It will happen soon.

Will RJPN elect Mahantha Thakur as its PP leader?

He is the coordinator of party’s presidium committee. He is a proper leader and possesses a right kind of maturity. He can lead all other party leaders together. It will be better if the party nominated him as the PP leader.

BIRATNAGAR, May 17: Federal Socialist Forum Nepal (FSFN) Chairman Upendra Yadav Thursday said that his party will join the government if constitution amendment was ensured.

Speaking at a press meet, leader Yadav said that they will participate in the government if their agendas were met.

“The agendas of marginalized communities including Madhesi should be addressed. If the government ensures us of that, then we will become ready to join the government,” said Yadav.

Chair Yadav also welcomed the ongoing bid of party unification between CPN-UML and CPN (Maoist Center).