KATHMANDU: CPN-UML Secretary Pradeep Gyawali has said that the party is optimistic to endorse a new constitution amendment bill if tabled in the Parliament in consent with the party.

He also urged the government to withdraw a constitution amendment bill tabled at the Legislature-Parliament.

Speaking at an interaction programme organised in the Capital today, leader Gyawali urged all the mainstream political parties to forge consensus in order to amend the constitution. "UML will not support in the process of constitution amendment tabled without their consent at any cost,".

He, however, said that UML is not against the constitution amendment. "We could amend the constitution before the third phase of local level elections in province number 2 on September 18,".

Leader Gyawali echoed that all should support to hold all level of elections before January 21 rather than engaging in the process of constitution amendment bill.

He also appealed the agitating Rastriya Janata Party Nepal and Netra Bikram Chand led Maoist party to take part in the elections to safeguard democracy in the nation.

Similarly, RJP-N leader Keshav Jha has clarified that the party will not contest in the third round of local level elections in province number 2 if their demands are not heeded by the government before September 18.

He also further said that they are ready to take part in the elections if their demands are met by the government.

Meanwhile, former State Minister Deepak Khadka said that the incumbent government is set to expand its cabinet by Sunday.

He also said that the government should take all the parties including the CPN-UML on board for constitution amendment bill tabled in the parliament.