Kathmandu, February 27

The government has started consultations with political parties on how it can proceed with the constitution amendment bill in the next meeting of the Parliament scheduled for March 1.

According to Spokesperson for Parliament Secretariat Bharat Raj Gautam, the House can also decide to form a special committee and send the proposal to it for clause-wise discussion.

He also stated that the Parliament Secretariat is now compiling all 15 amendment proposals registered by 36 lawmakers yesterday. “We will submit the compiled proposals to Speaker Onsari Gharti Magar and she will decide on further action,” he added.

According to Minister of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ajaya Shankar Nayak the ruling party leaders are discussing what could be the best way. “We have both options either to send it to a special committee or have clause-wise discussion in the full House” said Nayak. Nepali Congress Chief Whip Chin Kaji Shrestha said his party would discuss with Madhesi parties on adopting a fast-track process, which means clause-wise debate in the full House.

If the bill was debated in the full house, it could be put to vote within a few days. When the constitution was amended for the first time last year, the House adopted the fast-track process ending the debate in three days. But if the bill is sent to a special committee it can take weeks.

Shrestha said  all sides must step back a little on the constitution amendment bill so as to hold the local elections in  free, fair and effective manner”, he added.

The House could discuss the bill on February 23 after the main opposition CPN-UML, which had been blocking debate on the bill, allowed the House to debate it.

Madhesi leaders have been saying they will take part in the local polls only after the bill is passed.

Talking to The Himalayan Times, Sadbhawana Party Co-chair Laxman Lal Karna said that the Madhesi parties will extend full support to the government if it tries to pass the amendment bill through fast-track. “The government has an obligation to pass the bill, the decision on whether the bill should be sent to a special committee or discussed in the full house could be finalised within an hour if we  seriously discuss the matter” he added.

CPN-MC Chief Whip Tek Bhadur Basnet said that there would be series of discussions before the House meeting.

The leaders are also holding informal talks with the CPN-UML. “Leaders are discussing issues but our position remains the same,” said UML Chief Whip Bhanubhakta Dhakal.

The lawmakers of ruling parties, including Top Bahadur Rayamajhi, have also registered the amendment proposal on the constitution amendment bill. “We had registered the proposal keeping in mind the long-term benefit of the country, we won’t take it back,” he said.