KATHMANDU: Five disgruntled leaders, including Nepal Communist Party (NCP) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” are holding an emergency meeting at Prachanda’s residence in Khumaltar over the Constitutional Council Ordinance issue.
The ruling NCP has been sharply divided on the issue as soon as President Bidya Devi Bhandari issued an ordinance on the Constitutional Council on Tuesday afternoon on the recommendation of the government.
Khumaltar sources said senior leaders Madhav Kumar Nepal, Jhala Nath Khanal, NCP Vice Chairman Bamdev Gautam and Spokesperson Narayan Kaji Shrestha are holding discussion at Khumaltar.
According to the source, the leaders are preparing to take a firm stand on the Ordinance issue.
Meanwhile, the main opposition party — Nepali Congress — has said it would not attend the Constitutional Council meeting convened by Prime Minister KP Oli this evening.
President Bidya Devi Bhandari today issued an ordinance on the Constitutional Council (Work, Duties, Rights, and Procedures).
According to the President’s Office, President Bhandari issued the ordinance on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers in accordance with Article 114 (1) of the Constitution.
The Constitutional Council chaired by the Prime Minister has the leader of the main opposition party, Chief Justice, Speaker, Chairman of the National Assembly, and the Deputy Speaker as members.
After the issuance of the ordinance, the meeting can be held if the majority of members of the Constitutional Council are present.
Earlier, the quorum for the meeting was considered to be reached only when the council Chairperson and four members were present.
Among the members of the council, the post of deputy speaker is currently vacant. In this case, the quorum for the meeting would have been reached only if all the other members were present.
Earlier, the meeting of the council was postponed after Speaker Agni Prasad Sapkota abstained from the meeting.
Meanwhile, Prachanda has demanded immediate withdrawal of the Constitutional Council Amendment Ordinance.
Prachanda termed the Ordinance as “unconstitutional” that has come with a vengeance.
“It has to be immediately withdrawn,” he said raising concern over the issuance of the ordinance at a time when the Parliament was not functioning.
Prachanda said the ordinance has come without consulting with the party.
The NCP has undergone a serious crisis for several months now with Prachanda and PM Oli rigid to their respective stances.
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