Kathmandu, December 18
The Nepali Congress has ruled out the possibility of amending the Constitution Amendment Bill as per the demands of the Madheshi Morcha. At the same time, the party, a major partner in the CPN-Maoist Centre-led ruling coalition, said it’s also impossible to withdraw the Bill or move ahead by putting the amendment process on hold.
Morcha has been demanding changes in the Bill, stating that the Bill in its present form is unacceptable. Prime Minister Prachanda has also been saying that amendment is possible.
However, during Saturday’s meeting between the Congress, Morcha and the Centre, Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba said there can be no amendment in the Bill.
What does Congress think of amendment?
- NC says amending Constitution Amendment Bill as per Madheshi Morcha’s demands is impossible in the present context
- It is also against putting the Bill on hold or withdrawing it altogether
- The party favours pushing the Bill forward in its original form
- It points that passing the Bill will be difficult, given CPN-UML’s opposition to it
Congress Chief Whip Chin Kaji Shrestha told Onlinekhabar: Even passing this Bill is difficult. There is dissatisfaction within the party. And it will be difficult to pass the Bill without support from the CPN-UML. In this context, we cannot promise to amend the Bill.
He added: After the start of the relevant parliamentary process, every party can put forth their amendment proposals.
Opposition parties, including the main opposition UML, have been obstructing Parliament meetings against the proposed amendment. The next House meeting is scheduled for Monday. Ruling parties are trying to move ahead by including the Bill in the Parliament’s business. According to leaders, the Congress wants to move ahead by forwarding the Bill in its present form.
It should be noted that some NC leaders, including Ram Sharan Mahat, has been stating that the government should go for elections by putting the amendment process on hold. Mahat put forth a proposal to this effect at Saturday’s meeting in Baluwatar, but the meeting rejected it.
