Law Minister confident constitution amendment proposal will be passed

Kathmandu / Feb 23: Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Ajaya Shankar Nayak has claimed the constitution amendment proposal registered in the parliament would be passed.

Speaking in the face-to-face programme organised by Reporters Club Nepal here today, he said the amendment proposal will be passed by the parliament for giving an outlet to the country from the political stalemate through election.

“The Madhesi Front and the CPN (UML) both sides should give up their respective stances to pave the way for constitution amendment,” he asserted.

Stating that the election date has been announced after consulting with the Local Level Restructuring Commission and the Election Commission, the Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs urged all the political parties to move forward with the mentality that the elections will take place and should take place.

Nepali Congress leader Farmullah Mansoor said the constitution amendment was necessitated to increase the wider acceptability of the constitution by the people of the mountainous, hilly and the Tarai regions. He added that all political parties should bear in mind that whatever issues could not be addressed at the time of framing the constitution would be addressed through amendment to the constitution.

CPN (UML) leader Raghubir Mahaseth said although the UML is ready to hold discussions on the constitution amendment bill registered by the government in parliament, it could not be passed as it is. The UML objects to the provisions related to language and citizenship contained in the bill.

Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) leader Dilnath Giri claimed the proposal would not be passed as it is against the national interest.

Leader of Nepal Sadbhavana Party Laxman Lal Karna said going for the election holds no meaning if the demand put forth by the United Democratic Madhesi Front is not addressed. The government and the main opposition party, UML, should be serious regarding the 11-point demands of the Front, he asserted. RSS