Kathmandu, July 15

As the ruling parties failed to ensure passage of the constitution amendment bill within a week as demanded by the Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal, the party is preparing to hold   a meeting of either its Central Working Committee of Central Committee to decide on its next course of action.

The RJP-N had boycotted the first and second phase of local level elections due to non-fulfillment of their key political demands, including  the demand to amend the constitution and to increase local levels in proportion to the population of Madhes.

RJP-N leader Rajendra Mahato said since the issues that faced the party demanded comprehensive discussion, the party would take a call on its next course of action by holding a meeting of either in the 815-member Central Committee or 135-members Central Working Committee.

Mahato said people of Madhes had reposed faith in the RJP-N for winning their rights, particularly after the Upendra Yadav led Federal Socialist Forum Nepal and Bijay Kumar Gachhadar-led Nepal Democratic Forum, participated in the elections without ensuring fulfilment of the demands of Madhesi forces.

He said it would be difficult for the RJP-N to participate in the third phase of local polls slated for September 18 without the government fulfilling the party’s demands.

“My personal opinion is that the RJP-N should not participate in elections without its key demands being addressed. If the RJP-N takes part in the election abandoning its agendas, people of Madhes will lose faith in the party,” Mahato said and added that the failure of the RJP-N would disappoint Madhesis.

RJPN leader Brikhes Chandra Lal said the ruling parties had mustered two thirds majority but they were saying that they did not have the required majority to pass the bill just because the ruling parties were hand in glove with the main opposition CPN-UML to keep the RJP-N out of the poll process.

“We have no option but to resort to struggle to win equal rights for Madhesis and other marginalised communities,” Lal added.

Nepali Congress leader Bimalendra Nidhi, however, said the ruling parties were continuously making efforts to rally support of two thirds majority in favour of the constitution amendment bill. “But we have told the RJP-N that at present we do not have two thirds majority supporting the constitution amendment bill.

Whatever we do on this issue, we will do only with the consent of the RJP-N. If the RJP-N wants us to put the bill to vote irrespective of the outcome in the Parliament, we are ready to do that,” he said.

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba had won   388 votes in prime ministerial elections held on June 6, eight short of two thirds majority.