Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, March 15:

The members of the National Assembly (NA) or the Upper House of the Parliament appealed to King Gyanendra today to convene the session of NA, which is the only “alive” chamber of the parliament. While NA members from various political parties used the platform of the Reporters’ Club to say they would formally appeal to the King to activate the NA to bail out the country from the crisis, royal nominees argued that just activating the NA would not be enough. “We would like to assure all that we would cooperate with the King’s move in bailing out the country if we are given a role in the absence of the House of Representatives,” said MP Ram Jiwan Singh of the NC (D. He demanded that the role of governing the country be given to an NA member saying, “We will collectively appeal the King to give us the role. If others MPs do not agree, I have decided to seek an audience with the King to share my views.”

Major Deepak Gurung also demanded a vital role for the NA in resolving the crisis. “For this, the King should convene the NA,” he said, adding, “We can even appeal to the King in writing to activate NA.” Blaming the political parties for inviting the crisis, Major Gurung, who represents Nepali Congress in NA, also emphasised on forging a consensus between the King and parties to hold a dialogue with the Maoists. Royal nominee Mohan Chapagain, however, argued that convening of the NA would be insignificant till the crisis of confidence is erased between political parties. Holding the parties responsible for being involved in wranglings and inviting the crisis, another Royal nominee Rishi Babu Pariyar emphasised on constitutional procedures to activate the Upper House. MP Biswara Dahal of CPN-UML, too, demanded the NA be activated to bail out the country from the turmoil.