Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari has urged political parties to focus on implementation of a new constitution and maintain harmony in the country.
She made the remarks while convening an all-party meeting at the Presidential Palace on Sunday night, Xinhau news agency reported.
“Bhandari expressed her anxiety over possible repercussions if the new constitution is not implemented,” said Narayan Kaji Shrestha, vice chairman, CPN (Maoist Centre).
She called on all parties to work toward ensuring political stability in the country and forge consensus on the thorny issues relating to the constitutional amendment, said Shrestha.
“Parties need to be mindful about the country’s sovereignty and national harmony while taking any kind of decision that may have impact for the long run,” Bhandari said.
Leaders from various ruling and opposition parties, including Madhesi parties, shared their views with the President at the meeting.
The meeting came amid squabbles between ruling and opposition parties over the constitutional amendment proposal tabled by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal last week.
The amendment bill seeks to carve out a new state in western Nepal to meet the demands of Madhesi parties, whose months-long protests last year left more than 50 people dead.
The opposition parties, including Communist Party of Nepal (United Marxist Leninist), Communist Party of Nepal (Marxist Leninist), Rashtriya Janamorcha Party Nepal and Nepal Workers Peasants’ Party, have been protesting against the bill.
Meanwhile, India has described the introduction of a constitution amendment bill earlier this week in Nepal’s parliament as an “important step”.
“As part of the ongoing efforts, the registering of a constitution amendment bill in the Nepali parliament on November 29 is an important step,” external affairs ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said in response to a question.
“We hope that all sides will remain closely engaged and the ongoing efforts would be concluded successfully,” he said.
India’s statement assumes significance as the bill has been framed to address the grievances of the Madhesi Front.
The bill has, however, been opposed by both the main opposition Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) and the Madhesi Front and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has been at pains to convince different sides.
Swarup said that India’s consistent position has been that peace, stability and progress of Nepal was in the interest of both India and Nepal.
“We have therefore been supportive of initiatives of the Government of Nepal to meet the aspirations of all sections of its society through dialogue and constitutional processes,” he said.
“As a close and friendly neighbour of Nepal, India will continue to extend all support for Nepal’s peace, stability and accelerated economic development in accordance with the priorities of the people and government of Nepal.”




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