Kathmandu, July 9

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba today discussed the constitution amendment bill with CPN-Maoist Centre Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

NC leader Bal Krishna Khand, who was present at the meeting, said that the two leaders discussed their strategies to ensure passage of the constitution amendment bill. “The two leaders were in favour of passing the constitution amendment bill on the basis of consensus and if that was not possible then on the basis of two-thirds majority,” Khand said, and added that the government was preparing ground work for putting the constitution amendment bill to vote.

He said the current coalition government was in favour of addressing the demands of Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal in order to ensure the party’s participation in the elections.

He also said the main opposition CPN-UML needed to moderate its stances and support the amendment bill.

“The UML pursued an aggressive policy when it led the government and now when it is in the opposition, it continues to pursue aggressive policies for electoral gains,” Khand said, adding that the UML needed to review its policies for the sake of peace and prosperity in the country.

Spokesperson for the CPN-MC Pampha Bhusal said the incumbent coalition government would put the constitution amendment bill to vote the day it became sure that the bill would get support of two-thirds majority.