KATHMANDU: The main opposition Nepali Congress (NC) has demanded the government to convene a House session immediately.
A meeting of Parliamentary Party held today demanded the government to call a parliament session at the earliest by withdrawing the Ordinance related to the Constitutional Council.
The party has also demanded to convene a meeting of the parliament to discuss contemporary issues.
“We demand the government to convene a House session immediately parliament as several issues have to be resolved,” NC central member Dr. Dilla Sangraula.
She also alleged the government of taking undemocratic steps in the absence of the parliament.
“That is why we have demanded that the parliament should convene immediately,” she added.
Likewise, party Joint General Secretary Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat said that the meeting decided to demand the government to convene a meeting of the parliament immediately.
He said that the meeting also decided to demand the government to withdraw the Ordinance related to the Constitutional Council.
President Bidhya Devi Bhandari had issued an ordinance on the CC in line with Article 114 (1) of the Constitution at the recommendation of the government.
On April 24, Prime Minister KP Oli had brought the same ordinance but withdrawn following criticisms from all quarters.
NC President Deuba, meanwhile, 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Deuba has vehemently stated that the NC will not participate in the CC meeting unless the ordinance is withdrawn.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.”
Comment