Kathmandu, Sept. 23: CPN (Maoist Centre) Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said that the Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN (UML) don’t actually carry the agenda of constitution amendment but the issue was raised as a pretext to topple the government.
The Maoist Centre Chair accused the two major political parties of not being serious about the constitution amendment.
At an interaction organized here Monday on ‘Implementation of Constitution: Expectation and Reality’, the former PM said the constitution amendment should be to address the people’s rights.
He also criticized the NC and UML for not raising the issue of constitution amendment prior to the formation of the current government. “So, this is not their agenda. This is only the plot and pretext,” Dahal claimed.
The Maoist Centre said that there is no political meaning of consensus forged between the NC and UML since it was done secretly without bringing the signatory and leader of the Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA).
He also expressed his doubt whether the agreement was genuine adding that the agreement paper is without signatures.
On the occasion, Dahal said constitution amendment was needed for the agendas but the implementation of the constitution was needed prior to this.
“Above all, emphasis should be given to its implementation. A review should be done on the amendment if challenges surface in the implementation progress. But the mindset of the political leadership is to weaken the constitution,” he claimed.
Likewise, he argued that the major political parties did not cooperate with the Maoist Centre to make laws needed for the implementation of the constitution and federalism.
He went on to say that the interim constitution was more progressive than the current constitution.
Dahal stated that form of governance and electoral system should be revised to ensure political stability and end corruption in the constitution’s amendment.
Also speaking at the programme, NC leader NP Saud argued that the ruling parties forged a consensus to amend the constitution to bring about reforms in the weaknesses and complexities witnessed in the constitution’s implementation.
On the occasion, CPN (UML) Vice-chair Surendra Pandey said the number of ministers in the province should be downsized through the constitution’s amendment.
However, the Chief Whip of Rastriya Swatantra Party Santosh Pariyar argued that the ruling parties were creating a false narrative saying that the proportional electoral system created political instability.
Leader of Rastriya Prajatantra Party Rabindra Mishra and former chief minister of Madhes Province Lalbabu Raut also expressed their views at the interaction programme.
