FSF-N: Pact on amendment must before joining govt

Kathmandu, March 18

The Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal today decided to participate in the KP Sharma Oli-led government only after reaching a deal on constitution amendment with the left alliance.

According to a press release issued by the party, FSF-N’s office bearers decided to select the names of ministers only after reaching a deal with the CPN-UML and the CPN-MC. Revision of provincial boundaries is a key demand of the FSF-N for which it wants Article 274 of the constitution amended to remove the requirement of the consent of majority of provinces.

FSF-N General Secretary Ram Sahay Yadav said the office bearers reviewed the progress made in the talks held with left alliance leaders and concluded that it needed to hold more talks on issues of constitution amendment. “We have not reached an agreement with the left alliance yet. Without signing a deal with the left alliance on constitution amendment, we cannot join the government,” Yadav said. He added that nothing could be said for sure before a deal was signed.

According to Yadav, left alliance leaders were positive on his party’s demands but his party wanted to mention those things in the agreement that could be signed with the alliance. He also said that the left alliance had agreed to form a task force to expedite the process of amending the constitution.

Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal leader Rajendra Mahato said his party had not discussed participation in the Oli government yet. “We have received a proposal from the government for joining it, but we have yet to discuss the proposal,” Mahato said. He added that it was up to the government to hold talks on RJP-N’s participation in the government.

Mahato said his party could join the government only if the left alliance government committed to amending the constitution. He said his party was also urging the government to enable party lawmaker Resham Lal Chaudhary to take oath of office and secrecy. Chaudhary, who has been indicted in Tikapur killings, has been in judicial custody.