Kathmandu, February 15:

The Nepali Congress (NC) today reinforced the need to revive the House of Representatives as part of the effort to usher the nation out of the protracted political and constitutional crises and thus bring the constitution back on track.

The party, which has been baying for revival of the House ever since it was dissolved on may 22, 2002, has laid equal stress on House revival and beginning of progressive political reforms.

The demand has been renewed in the wake of the Supreme Court verdict that disbanded the Royal Commission for Corruption Control (RCCC) that was constituted by the King following the takeover on February 1 last year. A hastily-called central working committee meeting, chaired by vice-president Sushil Koirala, renewed the call for the revival of the dissolved House.

The meeting also hailed the Supreme Court verdict. “The verdict goes a long way in establishing the rule of law,” NC CWC member Arjun Narsingh KC said. The party also labelled the court pronouncement on who enjoys the State power under the current constitution as a welcome development.

Claiming that the decisions of the State following October 4, 2002, when the King sacked the elected prime minister, were ultra vires and regressive in nature, the party said it was surprising and contradictory that the incumbent government is still in place even in the wake of the landmark verdict that denies that the King enjoys state power.

“This has posed a big question mark over those who are running the affairs of the state citing constitutional clauses,” KC said, adding “it is also an ethical and moral issue now and that the revival of the Parliament is not an end in itself but a precursor for talks with the rebels and beginning of necessary political process.”

Meanwhile, KC today met with political detainees detained at Duwakot. KC said 51 prisoners have been detained in miserable condition in the detention centre.