Jhapa, September 25

Nepali Congress General Secretary Krishna Prasad Sitaula today said the three major parties have demonstrated maximum flexibility on the citizenship provision in the new constitution.

Speaking to the media persons at his residence in Jhapa on Friday, NC leader Sitaula claimed that the three major parties — Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and UCPN-M — had promulgated the constitution as per the agreement reached with the Madhes-based parties. He also claimed that they had discussed the number of provinces with the Madhesi leaders.

He also underscored the importance of mutual cooperation between the agitating and ruling forces until next election.

Claiming that the ongoing Madhes agitation would yield no fruit, he urged the Madhesi parties and groups to cooperate with the government until the next election. “Our statute has been promulgated in accordance with the universal standards. If anybody says this constitution is not acceptable to them, then it means they do not believe in democracy,” he said.

He maintained that the constitution would not be amended through street agitation, but through two-thirds majority of parliament. “Everything in democracy follows a certain process,” he said.

Addressing the query of media persons, Sitaula said the provisions on citizenship and provinces would not be amended through street protests.

Responding to a query on whether India had halted supply of essentials to Nepal, Sitaula said, “Nepal and India have a deep relationship. The two countries will do nothing that would affect this relationship.”