Kathmandu, September 21

Senior Advocate Surendra Kumar Mahto said that the President's refusal to citizenship bill was a cruel blow to the constitution. "The President who is the protector of the constitution herself has violated the constitution," Mahto said and added that the President had no power to refuse assent to the bill sent to her second time. "If the President's move is not rectified, then the constitution can never be able to exercise people's sovereignty because no bill could be enacted into the law without the President's wish," Mahto said and added that the President's move marked a clash between the head of state and the Parliament. "If the President's move is not reversed, the President won't abide by anybody's aid and recommendations in the future," he added.

The constitution says that the President shall act on the aid and recommendation of the council of ministers.