Kathmandu, December 29
Speaker Onsari Gharti Magar has given three major political parties — the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and the CPN-Maoist Centre — three days to reach an understanding. Referring to the Constitution Amendment Bill, Gharti said on Thursday the parliamentary process will move ahead even if political parties fail to reach the deal within the deadline.
Speaker Gharti had tried to bring together the three major parties by convening joint meetings, in vain.
Talking to a team from Reporters’ Club Nepal, Gharti Magar said: The three parties have informed me that they are close to an understanding. I want them to engage in intense discussions, so I have given them the three-day deadline.
At the same time, Speaker said she had directed top leaders to attend the next meeting of the Parliament compulsorily.
I have directed the top leaders not to leave the valley. The upcoming meeting will take place in the Parliament itself. I have told them to convene the meeting in the House. Let’s hope there will be an agreement (within the deadline).
She said: I have directed them not to leave the Kathmandu Valley. The upcoming meeting will take place in the Parliament itself. I have told them to convene the meeting in the House. Let’s hope there will be an agreement (within the deadline).
If they do not reach an understanding within the given time, I will schedule 2-3 meetings on January 2. I have told the committee concerned to arrange meetings of the three major parties.
Opposition parties, including the main opposition CPN-UML, have been obstructing the Parliament against the government-sponsored Constitution Amendment Bill. This obstruction has affected the amendment process, Bills related to elections and the impeachment motion against suspended CIAA Chief Commissioner Lok Man Singh Karki. Speaker said all parties should be serious about conducting three-tier elections — local, provincial and federal elections — by Magh 7, 2074 BS. Now too, two Bills on elections are in the list of the House’s businesses, she said.
