KATHMANDU, Oct 14: Speaker Onsari Gharti has said the Legislature-Parliament had a significant tenure with long term effects.

Addressing the final meeting of the Legislature-Parliament Saturday evening, she informed that the parliament meeting was held for 666 times which passed 56 bills needed for the country and people.

During the term of this parliament, elections of the two prime ministers were held, budget and program and policies of governments brought. The laws directly related to public life –criminal and civil code – were passed by this parliament.

Speaker Gharti further said efforts were made to make the activities of the parliament effective and transparent. Discouraging extravagant expense, live telecast of parliament activities were ensured. Similarly, ‘Question and Answer with Government’, initiation of construction of parliament building, quarters for lawmakers were other initiatives.

She expressed happiness over the successful term. The term of this parliament is expiring this midnight.

KATHMANDU, Oct 14: CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli has said the sole duty the government has at present is to hold the forthcoming elections of House of Representatives and of Provincial parliaments in a fair and peaceful atmosphere.

Addressing the final meeting of the legislature-Parliament Saturday evening, UML Chairman and leader of the major opposition party Oli criticized that it would be a wrong precedent to add ministers without informing other political parties.

He however said the UML would extend utmost help to hold the elections in peaceful and fair manner.

Being more critical on Cabinet expansion, he wondered why the PM added ministers and whether the democracy was violation of rule.

He urged the government to withdraw the decision of Cabinet expansion if possible.
According to him, the electoral alliance the UML and Maoist Centre built was for protection of democratic values and nationality.

He also thanked then Chairman of Constituent Assembly Subash Nembang and present Speaker Onsari Gharti for their constructive role.

KATHMANDU, Oct 14: CPN (Maoist Center) chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said that the peace process has become successful with the promulgation of the constitution from the people-elected Constituent Assembly.

While addressing the last meeting of the legislature-parliament on Saturday, Dahal recalled that it was his party that struggled the most and made the most sacrifice for making the constitution a success. He added, the country reached to the point of issuing the constitution from the second Constituent Assembly as they were concerned and conscious with the failure of the first Constituent Assembly to make the constitution despite enjoying a majority of pro-change forces.

“The peace agreement is related to the issuance of the constitution. The constitution would not be made had there been the guarantee of the success of the peace process. For that purpose, I took the risky decision of integration of the Maoist combatants into the Nepal Army even at the cost of the party’s split,” he further added.

Stating that thousands have sacrificed their lives for ensuring the rights of the poor, oppressed, indigenous nationalities, Madhesi, Tharu, Muslim and women in the constitution, he said but the constitution has come as a document of compromise and not as every community would like to have it.

“Many progressive and transformation issues have been addressed in this constitution. I would like to assure of my sincerity to the justified demands of the Madhesi community although these issues could not be addressed through amendment to the constitution. I believe the coming parliament too would pursue constitution amendment and revision to achieve national unity and prosperity,” the Maoist Centre chairman said.

He also stated that the leftist alliance that has been forged in view of the upcoming elections should not be construed as ‘communist authoritarianism’ because according to him this alliance is not directed against anyone.

“This alliance is an outcome of ideological principles and of long efforts. We will be in a kind of collaboration with the Nepali Congress also. The Maoist Centre would not exit from the government because of the alliance. We are together in the shared responsibility of conducting the elections,” he reiterated.

Mahendra Raya Yadav of the Rastriya Janata Party said that the constitution was not inclusive of and accommodative towards the indigenous nationalities and Madhesis, stressing on the need of amending it as per their demands.

Chairman of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), Kamal Thapa, recalling that his party had supported the constitution by remaining unchanged in its ideals, underlined the need for all the political parties to work together for the implementation of the constitutiona nd promotion of nationality.

Dr Subodh Kumar Pokharel of the Nepal Loktantrik Forum said his party would also have signed on the constitution in support of it had there been provision for the delineation of the federalism through a commission.

KATHMANDU, Oct 14: Prime Minister and Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba has said efforts would be continued to address the grievances in the constitution in the coming days.

Addressing the last meeting of the Legislature-Parliament Saturday evening, PM Deuba said it is a historic achievement that Nepal has got the constitution from the Constituent Assembly, which was along cherished dream since 2007 BS.

With the promulgation of the constitution, new laws have been made; local level elections held, and preparations for the elections of the House of Representatives and Provincial parliament completed, the PM said, adding that it was another great achievement that country held the local level elections successfully in two decade’s gap.

“After the conduct of the forthcoming elections, the country ushers into the way of economic prosperity. So I kindly request you not to be tangled in minor issues,” the PM said in the parliament.

In response to the reaction of expansion of the Cabinet, PM made it clear that there is not clear mention in the constitution on the number of ministers in the transition. He wondered whether the PM could not add ministers. Even the EC has said it Cabinet expansion would not affect the elections at all, and the President has also worked as per the constitution. She is not guided by any, the PM justified.

According to him, the Nepali Congress does not compromise with any side on nationality and democracy. “NC is the most patriotic party,” he asserted.

He reminded the role of various leaders as BP Koirala, GP Koirala, Sushil Koirala, Pushpa Lal, Man Mohan Adhikari, Subarna Shumsher and Ganesh Man Singh on accomplishing their political duty to bring the constitution.

PM Deuba expressed happiness over the incorporation of democracy based on pluralism, socialism, proportional inclusion in the constitution.

“It’s an epoch-making change to have six bills including civil code passed from the parliament to update the old Civil Code,” he underscored. RSS