KATHMANDU, Dec 7 : Ruling CPN (Maoist Center) has decided to hold political discussions with all the parties for endorsing the constitution amendment bill through a two-thirds parliamentary majority.
The party's politburo meeting on Tuesday urged Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal to initiate political discussions for amending the constitution. The party took the decision at a time when coalition partner Rastriya Prajatantra Party has said that some of the provisions of the amendment bill are against national interest while some of the Nepali Congress senior leaders, including General Secretary Shashank Koirala are publicly opposing the bill. Also, the Madhes-based parties have said that the bill is incomplete and does not address their demands.
"The coalition partners themselves are not fully satisfied with the bill. However, none of the parties or leaders have said that they will vote against the bill. In this scenario, the politburo has suggested to the prime minister to expedite political discussions and create an environment to pass the bill from the House," said Barshaman Pun, the Maoist Center leader close to Prime Minister Dahal.
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"The bill is in parliament for discussion and the political parties which are dissatisfied with the bill can register proposals to change the provisions of the bill. We can settle issues through a broader consensus," Pun added.
Besides the dissatisfaction within the ruling coalition, the main opposition CPN-UML has been obstructing House meetings and encouraging protests in the Province 5.
"Though it could be too early for doubts, the latest remarks from UML leaders have shown that the main opposition wants to move away from the mandates of the April 2006 Movement under the guise of opposing proposed changes in provincial delineation," said Pun.
He expressed amusement over UML leaders' remark that federalism was not in their agenda and they had accepted it only for promulgating constitution through political consensus.
The government, two weeks ago, registered the amendment bill arguing that it would address the demands of the disgruntled Madhes-based parties to create an environment for the elections.
