Khotang, November 8

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal today urged all and sundry not to believe the rumour that the government was preparing to amend the constitution with a provision to allow naturalised citizens to hold top constitutional positions after 10 years of receiving the citizenship.

Dahal clarified that they had begun preparing the constitution amendment draft from yesterday.

Stating that no agreement had been reached on statute amendment, Dahal said provisions included in the statute amendment bill as reported by the media were far from truth.

Speaking at-an all party meeting at District Development Committee, Khotang, Dahal said constitution amendment and election at all three levels were the government’s top priorities.

Dahal, who was in Khotang to observe the under-construction 456 megawatt Upper Tamakoshi Hydro Power in Dolakha, stated that efforts were under way to forge national unity to make the statute acceptable for all.

He also noted that the government had no option but to forge national unity in order to amend the statute and hold elections at all three levels.

“We are working to forge national unity as discussions between the dissenting Madhes-based parties and the government is heading in a positive direction,” Dahal added.

He informed that the government was making all possible efforts to address the concerns of Madhesi, Tharu and other disgruntled groups through constitution amendment.

He also directed the office chiefs and employees of different projects to complete their projects within the stipulated time.

On the occasion, different social organisations, political parties and businesspersons submitted separate lists of demands to the prime minister.

No such provision in India too, says deputy speaker

Rajbiraj, November 8

Deputy Speaker Ganga Prasad Yadav today said the issue of citizenship would not affect the constitution amendment process.

Speaking to journalists in Saptari today, Deputy Speaker Yadav said, “There is no point in demanding constitutional provisions allowing naturalised citizens to hold key constitutional posts.

There is no such provision in India either. Constitution must be amended to address the concerns of the agitating Madhes-based parties and for this consensus among political parties is a must.”

Yadav argued that the Election Commission had not been able to the date for the local elections as major parties are yet to reach a consensus on the demands put forth by the Madhesi forces.

The decision of the parliamentary house about the impeachment motion gainst Lok Man Singh Karki, the suspended Chief of the Investigation of Abuse of Authority, will be final and acceptable to all, Yadav.