Kathmandu, January 6
The main opposition CPN-UML has announced it will rally more than one lakh people on Kathmandu’s streets as part of its protests against the Constitution Amendment Bill on Friday. Workers from other opposition parties will also join in the protest.
While people are wondering whether the UML will really be able to walk the talk, UML leaders are saying that rallying one lakh people is no big deal as the party itself has 50,000 activists.
For the UML, today’s capital-centric protest has become a prestige issue. It has to ensure that a sea of humanity descends on the streets if it is to press ruling parties to do its bidding and propagate the message throughout the country that there’s a groundswell of support for the party.
The party is preparing to rally a maximum number of people on the streets in a bid to attract the Capital’s voters in view of upcoming elections. The estimated number of participants at the protest assembly taking place at Bhrikuti Mandap on Friday afternoon will show whether the UML has a huge following.
The UML’s organisational base was quite strong in the Capital in the past. UML leaders feel support for the party in the Capital has increased as it has stood firmly against the Madheshi Morcha and strongly opposed the blockade. Based on this reading, the UML is showing its strength in the Capital.
Though the UML has said the protest programme is against Constitution amendment, party leaders say it has taken into account upcoming elections as well. Needless to say, supporters from opposition parties such as NWPP and Rastriya Janamorcha will also count as the UML’s strength.
Of late, the UML is saying that it can support the Constitution Amendment proposal minus the proposal on redrawing of provincial boundaries. Though the Supreme Court has directed parties to discuss the proposal in the Parliament itself, the main opposition has not let the House reopen.
UML Chair KP Sharma Oli’s address at Friday’s protest assembly will show whether the UML will exercise flexibility on the Bill or toughen its stance, emboldened by its show of strength.
