Kathmandu, November 24

CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli today told party leaders and cadres to stand prepared for protests against the constitution amendment bill, which the government is preparing to table in the Parliament.

Speaking at an interaction organized jointly by the UML’s youth wings — Youth Association Nepal and All Nepal Free Students Union, Oli also warned the government to be prepared to face protests in the Parliament and on the street.

He said the incumbent government was formed was with bad motive and therefore, the government was tabling the amendment bill to appease outsiders.

Oli said he would not allow the government to compromise national interest. He asked people to be cautious about groups that want to fulfil their vested interest.

Oli also criticised the government for not doing anything in the last four months. “Instead of implementing the constitution and declaring election dates, the focus of the government has been to amend the constitution,” Oli stated.

Oli said that separating hills from province no. 5 was not acceptable to his party.

NC leader Prakash Man Singh said the statute could be amended as per the need of the people and in national interest. “People should not take genuine concerns raised by the Tarai region negatively,” said Singh and added that everybody should have the opportunity to feel the change heralded by the republican order.

CPN-Maoist Centre leader Top Bahadur Rayamajhi said he was unaware of the constitution amendment agenda and he would not accept a proposal to separate hill districts from  province No 5.

He said such amendment proposal would be foiled.

Rastriya Prajatantra Party’s Chairman Kamal Thapa said that the constitution should be amended through broader political understanding. “Extremist views against and for the amendment of constitution would invite clash,” said Thapa. He claimed that the UML Chair Oli-led government had agreed to amend the constitution.

Vice Chairman of Tarai Madhes Democratic Party Hridayesh Tripathi said that issues of naturalised citizenship and language were not the agendas of Madhesi parties. He said the constitution should be amended to address the diversity of the country.