Nepal

SP-N to neither celebrate nor protest Constitution Day, RJP-N set to oppose

SP-N to neither celebrate nor protest Constitution Day, RJP-N set to oppose

By Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, September 16 The ruling coalition partner Samajwadi Party-Nepal today said it would neither celebrate nor protest Constitution Day. Constitution Day is being celebrated on September 20. Last year, the SP-N had observed Constitution Day as black day before it joined the KP Sharma Oli-led government. Issuing a press statement, the SP-N informed that the decision to neither celebrate nor protest Constitution Day was taken by the executive committee of the party. The party decided to hold interactions on “Necessity of Constitution Amendment” in all seven provinces. General Secretary of Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal Keshav Jha, however, said his party would observe the day as Black Day as in previous years. When asked how long his party would protest Constitution Day, Jha said his party would continue to oppose the constitution as long as amendment was not made to address the demands of Madhesi forces. According to Jha, the RJP-N wanted to amend the constitution to make changes in provisions related to citizenship, revise provincial boundaries, ensure multi-lingual policy and incorporate the Madhes movement in the preamble of the constitution. Jha said his party wanted the constitution to be amended to ensure that local governments were brought under provincial governments and to restructure the judiciary which was still functioning as a unitary organ of the state. RJP-N leaders will go to the districts on September 20 to take part in interactions and protest programmes. RJP-N has its organisation in 48 districts.