KATHMANDU: A meeting of the office bearers of the main opposition party Nepali Congress (NC) is underway at party President Sher Bahadur Deuba’s residence, Budhanilakantha to discuss the government-introduced ordinance on the Constitutional Council.

NC President Deuba has called the ordinance “undemocratic” that has been brought through the back-door bypassing the parliament session.

“It is ridiculously undemocratic to introduce the ordinance without taking the Speaker into confidence and leaving the post of Deputy Speaker vacant,” said Deuba, adding, “It lays bare the despotic intent of the Oli-led government.”

Deuba has vehemently stated that the NC will not participate in the CC meeting unless the ordinance is withdrawn.

Taking to social networking sites, the top-notch leaders of the NC have objected to the government’s ordinance terming it as an indication of totalitarianism.

Similarly, senior leader Ram Chandra Paudel has claimed that the ordinance has been brought to appoint people in the government’s favor to the constitutional bodies which is unacceptable to the NC as it is against the spirit of the CC.

Coming down heavily on the government for bringing this ordinance, NC Vice President Bimalendra Nidhi said the government is heading towards the path of totalitarianism. “This is a blatant attack on the constitution and parliamentary system. This ordinance is unacceptable,” said Nidhi.

Likewise, General Secretary Dr Shashanka Koirala has said this ordinance has been brought to take CC meeting’s decision in Oli’s favor which has also drawn the President into controversy.

Another General Secretary Purna Bahadur Khadka has termed it ‘an indication of despotism’ which was brought through the back door bypassing the parliament.

Similarly, Central Committee member Gagan Thapa has said it is a mockery of the Constitution and has been introduced in cahoots with the President. “We will foil the ordinance at any cost as it is unconstitutional and an undemocratic move of the government.”