KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 2

President Ramchandra Paudel has schooled Rastriya Swatantra Party's Chairperson Rabi Lamichhane in relation to the constitutional provision.

He has made clear that there is a constitutional provision which doesn't allow the president to refute the issues put forth by the government upon completion of all the legal procedures after they are passed by the Council of Ministers.

Lamichhane reached out to the president regarding the granting of amnesty to the rest of the prisoners on the occasion of Constitution Day. However, President Paudel told Lamichhane to question the government regarding the matter. Since it is the Council of Ministers which is responsible for taking any decision through parliamentary process, the government should be answerable in these matters.

He reminded Lamichhane that the letter from the Ministry of Home Affairs seeking amnesty for 34 people was returned by him as the constitution permits him to do so exercising my discretion.

'I think you are yet to internalise our sovereign constitution, republicanism and parliamentary system,' said President Paudel, adding, 'You are in the Parliament with the government. You should be making the prime minister and home minister accountable rather than reaching out to me directly. I feel the constitution has been abused here.'

He said, 'Sometimes, the leaders may be in a circumstance to seek my help, but this time it seems the other way around.'

'I raised questions on my own regarding the law and procedure being abused when the MoHA recommended to grant amnesty to 34 people ,' said President Paudel, adding, 'As far as the remaining 670 people are concerned, I granted them amnesty only after the decision of the Council of Ministers following all the constitutional processes. And there is a constitutional arrangement to do so.'

President Paudel reminded that Parliament had the right to adjust and amend the law. He said, 'I am concerned that the constitution, this system and the republic are being attacked at the moment.'

'Leaders of your caliber who are committed to the constitution and the republic system need to think carefully,' he said.

'They are trying to fail the republic system by blaming everything on the presidential institution and weakening this system that was brought after struggling for 70 years. You should be aware of this and it is your responsibility to protect it.'

Meanwhile, lawmaker Lamichhane said, 'I have appeared before you as the guardian of the constitution and to draw the attention of the government.'

'It is our right to ask your help to draw the attention of the government as you are the guardian of the country,' said Lamichhane.

A version of this article appears in the print on October 3, 2023, of The Himalayan Times