Kathmandu, September 1

Nepali Congress Central Working Committee meeting today mandated party president and Prime Minister Sushil Koirala to create an environment for registering amendment proposal on the “Revised Bill” of the new constitution at the Constituent Assembly by garnering support of at least two-third majority.

“Chief whip of the party will coordinate with like-minded parties for registering the amendment proposal. NC parliamentary party directs all its members to be united for delivering the new statute at the earliest possible,” said the party in a statement issued after the CWC meeting held at the CA building in New Baneshwor twice in the morning and evening.

NC is preparing to go for amendment on more than one dozen issues including removal of secularism, replacing constitutional court by constitutional bench and others, according to its Vice-president Ramchandra Paudel. “However, we will decide only after holding consultations with other parties,” said Paudel.

Some leaders, including Arjun Narsingh KC had criticised some top leaders of the party for not holding consultations and taking serious initiatives with other members of the CWC about holding the party’s NGC and taking important decisions regarding constitutional issues. KC also demanded that CA members of the party be allowed to register amendment proposal as per their wish. “It is the constitutional right of every CA member to register their amendment proposal. So, every CA member should be given chance to register proposal. This right cannot be hijacked,” KC said.

The NC called on all agitating parties representing the CA to call off their protest programmes, seek solution through talks and join the CA process and make their important contribution to the constitution making process, according to the party’s press statement.

Also, the NC called on all professional organisations and people to contribute to constitution making and to maintain law and order in the country, said the party statement.

Condemning the incidents of killing, manhandling and vandalism during recent protests, including in Kailali and other Tarai districts, the NC demanded that the government take action against those “criminals” involved in the incidents.

Leaders including Bimalendra Nidhi, Arjun Narsingh KC, Ajaya Chaurasiya, Prakash Sharan Mahat, Krishna Chandra Nepali, Ram Chandra Tiwari and Mahendra Yadav have urged party leaders to hold meaningful talks with the agitating parties and not to stagger from delivering the new constitution at the earliest possible date.

NC local conventions put off

KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress on Tuesday put off its local-level conventions slated for September 3 indefinitely after the party was unable to hold its National General Convention slated from September 19 to 22 in Katmandu. The party, however, did not postpone the NGC due to the provision of Interim Constitution, according to which a party should hold its convention every five years. The current Central Working Committee of the party is completing its five-year term on September 22 and the party cannot postpone the NGC without amending the constitutional provision.

“We are unable to hold the NGC in the scheduled time due to the ongoing constitution drafting process. The major political parties have already agreed to add six more months in the five-year provision in the new constitution. However, if the new constitution cannot be delivered before September 22, we will go for amending the Interim Constitution and we have held consultations with other parties for this,” said NC leader Narahari Acharya.