Kathmandu, November 6

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal today continued consultations with leaders of political parties on constitution amendment.

He, however, rubbished media reports of an agreement to allow those with naturalised citizenship to assume top constitutional posts in the country.

A section of media had reported that the ruling parties had proposed to the Madhesi parties that constitution amendment would allow a naturalised citizen to assume top posts, including the president, vice-president, prime minister, speaker, chief justice and chief of Nepali Army after s/he completed 10 years as Nepali citizen.

“The government has not reached any agreement with any party nor has it made any written proposal regarding constitution amendment,” said PM Dahal’s Press Adviser Govinda Acharya. He said the PMO had been working to amend the constitution and was at final stage of the process. “For that the PM has been consulting leaders of political parties,” said Acharya.

Federal Socialist Forum Nepal’s Chairman Upendra Yadav said no agreement had been reached so far between the Madhes-based parties and the government as reported in the media.

“We have not received any letter or proposal from the government regarding constitution amendment. Making amendment without reaching agreement with us would be meaningless like the first amendment made unilaterally by bigger parties,” Yadav said.

Sadbhawana Party leader Rajendra Mahato said, “Rumours that Madhes-based parties received the government’s proposal are planted by those against consensus and process of constitution amendment.”

TMDP’s Vice-chairman Hridayesh Tripathi said the report of agreement on issues of naturalised citizenship published by a section of media was false.

“Neither any committee has been formed nor any draft made as published in media,” he said. The ruling parties are preparing to bring constitution amendment bill by mid-November to address the concerns of agitating parties.